Peace Officers Memorial Day, Sheriff’s Chaplains host service in Newton County

NEOSHO, Mo. (KOAM) — A proclamation issued by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 declared May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. In recent years it occurs in the midst of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Week.

Appropriately so the Newton County Sheriff's Office Chaplains held a service and luncheon at the Lampo Center, Honoring officers in local law enforcement serving the county.

Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings and Neosho Police Chief Jason Baird addressed those gathered.

Sheriff Jennings shared on the many things that have changed in law enforcement over his 44 years serving the public.

“Everything has changed, cars, computers, we didn’t even have computers. And I remember when I got a car with power windows, it can’t get any better than this. It had an AM radio in the car and I thought, hey we are right uptown.

Weapons have changed, techniques have changed. The media has changed. Cell phones… the greatest invention for law enforcement, but horrible for social media. Body cameras, car cameras. Nobody could ever dream that back then.”

Sheriff Jennings paused to reflect and shared a statement he said feels like an oxymoron.

“Law enforcement is respected less but appreciated more. What it means to me is that certain groups have been very successful at villainizing law enforcement over the years. But I believe the vast majority of Americans appreciate the officers more because of that.”

Chaplain Mark Taylor and others surprised Sheriff Jennings with a plaque on his 44 years in law enforcement that was followed by a long standing ovation from the large crowd.

But he’s not done yet he told us later in a brief interview, “I still have to the end of the year, December 31, 2024.”

NOTE : Thanks were extended from the podium to First Baptist Church of Neosho for preparing and serving the meal.