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Mayor Joe Gibbons read the proclamation during the City Council meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2023. He then presented the proclamation to Police Chief Brent Phelps.

"Chief, thank you for all you do and for protecting us every day," Mayor Gibbons said.

Chief Phelps said he wished the country didn't need a holiday to honor officers who died in the line of duty. But, it's important to honor and remember those who have, he said. Last year, 246 police officers died in the line of duty in the United States. Fortunately, none of those deaths were in Lenoir or Caldwell County agencies.

"Our hearts go out to the agencies who [lost officers]," Chief Phelps said. "I hope that’s something I never experience and that we never experience as a City."

Chief Phelps said that even though our officers know they could lose their life in the line of duty, they still come to work every day.

"It does make me proud of their dedication," Chief Phelps said. "Thank you, Council, for honoring them and recognizing them."

Peace Officers Memorial Day is on May 15 each year.  Police Week is the calendar week in which the memorial day falls. The holiday was created on October 1, 1961, when Congress authorized the president to designate May 15 to honor peace officers. John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962.

Mayor Joe Gibbons presented the Peace Officers' Memorial Week proclamation to Police Chief Brent Phelps Tuesday night, May 16, 2023. Pictured from left: Councilman Kent Greer, Mayor Pro Tem Crissy Thomas, City Manager Scott Hildebran, Councilman Ralph Prestwood, Chief Phelps, Councilman Todd Perdue, Mayor Gibbons, Councilman Ike Perkins, Councilman David Stevens, and Councilman Jonathan Beal.

PROCLAMATION In Recognition of Peace Officers’ Memorial Week May 15 – 21, 2023

WHEREAS, the Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week; and

WHEREAS, the members of the law enforcement agency of the Lenoir Police Department play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of those inside the City of Lenoir; and 

WHEREAS, it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression; and 

WHEREAS, the men and women of the law enforcement agency of the City of Lenoir Police Department unceasingly provide a vital public service;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor of the City of Lenoir, and on behalf of the Lenoir City Council, do hereby proclaim and call upon all citizens of Lenoir and upon all patriotic, civic and educational organizations to observe the week of May 15 – May 21, 2023, as Police Week with appropriate ceremonies and observances in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens;

FURTHERMORE, I proclaim and call upon all citizens of the City of Lenoir to recognize May 15, 2023, as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty.  Let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes.

WITNESS, my hand and seal this the 16th day of June 2023.

Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor