This week is National Police Week and today is Law Enforcement Memorial Day, a day when law enforcement officers across the country gather at their respective memorials to pay tribute to officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

It is also a time to show families who have lost a loved one that we will never forget their sacrifices. Minnesota law enforcement officers, including those from Eden Prairie, paid tribute to the 314 Minnesota peace officers who lost their lives while on duty since 1874. 

This afternoon, Eden Prairie officers, Reserve officers and Cadets participated in the tradition of standing guard at the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial on the State Capitol grounds. Officers stood watch for 20 minutes at at time. After each guard change, they left their posts, rang the memorial bell and read the name of a Minnesota officer killed in the line of duty. The ritual continued every 20 minutes throughout the 24-hour vigil, with officers from departments across the state taking part.

In honor of those who died as heroes in the line of duty, flags at all City facilities were lowered to half- staff today and EPPD officers wore mourning bands over their badges from sunrise until sunset.