SODA SPRINGS — Police departments across the country began commemorating National Police Week on Sunday with memorial ceremonies for fallen officers.
The week’s origins date back to 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation stating that May 15 would be Peace Officers Memorial Day and whatever week that date falls on would be National Police Week.
May 15 is the annual day across the U.S. when law enforcement agencies take the time to honor those officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Police officers have a unique and vitally important duty in our nation to preserve and safeguard lives and property, protect Americans’ constitutional rights and maintain respect for the rules of law with proper enforcement.
It’s a dangerous profession where officers are injured and sometimes killed.
The sacrifices made by our nation’s men and women in blue recently hit home with the death of Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy Tobin Bolter, who was fatally shot last month during a traffic stop in Boise.
Bolter’s death was felt across the state, including in Soda Springs where Police Chief Scott Shaw works hard to keep his community safe.
Shaw said National Police Week reminds him of both the sacrifices police officers make and the brotherhood they share.
“I appreciate Police Week to remember those we have lost,” Shaw said. “The fallen are never forgotten. We become a brotherhood and it’s always hard to lose one of our own. There are many rewarding aspects of the job but there are also some pretty heavy losses felt that makes it a tough job for the officers and their families.”
While many young boys and girls dream of becoming police officers, the fact is there has been a steady decline in police recruitment during the last four years.
Many don’t want to step into a profession where there is so much risk and negative press.
Shaw said he’s grateful his department isn’t experiencing the officer shortage so many other law enforcement agencies are experiencing across the country, especially in the bigger cities.
Shaw followed in his father’s law enforcement footsteps but said his decision to become a cop was not easy.
Shaw said, “Being raised a police officer’s son, it sure made it difficult to get away with much. When I thought I was being sneaky, I was reminded quickly I was not.”
When it comes to enforcing the law in Soda Springs, he said he realizes there are incidents where kids are just being kids and need to learn right from wrong.
But he said he treats incidents much more seriously when someone’s actions could hurt themselves or others.
Shaw started his law enforcement career with the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 just a few years after high school. At the time his father was working as an officer with the Pocatello Police Department.
In 2002, Shaw moved his family to Soda Springs and 16 years later he was appointed as the city’s chief of police.
Shaw is more than a team player when it comes to leading his department. He can often be found working the night shift just like his officers.
He said he works closely with his eight officers in Soda Springs to serve and protect the city.
Please think of him and all of Idaho’s other law enforcement officers this week as the nation honors its police.
National Police Week is being commemorated May 12 through May 18. It is a great time to reach out and thank local law enforcement for all they do to keep the rest of us safe.
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