-David Crowder, WRGA News-
This is National Peace Officers Memorial Week, a time to remember officers who have died in the line of duty.
In conjunction with the national observance, this Friday has been proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Rome and Floyd County.
Rome City Commissioner Elaina Beeman presented a proclamation on Monday night to Floyd County Commissioner and Chaplain David Thornton and Rome City Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney.
“We call upon all citizens to honor those peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, have lost their lives or have become disabled in the line of duty, and to recognize the enduring commitment of those who continue to serve. We thank you, and we love you,” Beeman said.
The 2026 Peace Officers Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m. at the Call to Duty Memorial Plaza, located at 5 Government Plaza in Rome.
“Our law enforcement memorial that we have, this lady right here is one of my superstars, and she didn’t know I was going to say this, but Denise Downer-McKinney is one of the founding ladies of helping this law enforcement memorial take place,” Thornton said. “It will be a somber moment on the 22nd, because Jeff Smith with the Berry College Police Department is our 21st person who will be enshrined. He died of Covid in the line of duty. I think it’s our first Berry College Police Officer and hopefully our last of any of them.”
The public is invited to the service, which is a time for reflection, gratitude, and unity as we stand together in remembrance.
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