CARVER — Chief Marc Duphily and the Carver Police Department are honoring fallen officers from near and far during National Police Week this week.
National Police Week takes place this year from May 14-20 and is observed across the country as a way to honor local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.
In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, Carver Police joined agencies nationwide in flying its flags at half-staff to honor officers who have given their lives in service to their communities, including Carver Police Chief James Vaughan (1908).
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Chief Vaughan passed away in September 1908 at the age of 62 after succumbing to stab wounds sustained three days earlier while serving an arrest warrant. At the time of his death, he had served with the Carver Police Department for five years.
In 2015, the Carver Police Department dedicated a memorial outside of the station to Chief Vaughan. During the ceremony, the department remarked that “Chief Vaughan gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life in the performance of his duty in his attempt to protect the citizens of Carver,” and that he is “an example of service above self and
the extreme dedication to his profession.”
“We will never forget those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Chief Duphily said. “National Police Week gives us a way to pay special tribute each year to those who have given their lives in service to their community, including Chief Vaughan.”
Every year, between 25,000-40,000 law enforcement officers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. to pay their respects during a number of planned events.
A total of 246 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2022 and 42 have been killed so far in 2023.
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