A Message From Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins: National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Once again, the Gloucester Township Police Department joins the community to celebrate the sacrifices and commitment of law enforcement throughout our great nation. National Police Week is celebrated May 14-20 this year, with a special somber remembrance on National Peace Officer Memorial Day on May 15.
As we celebrate National Police Week, it is with a heavier heart as we prepare for the funeral of Deptford Township Police Officer Robert Shisler. The men and women of the Gloucester Township Police Department are in a period of mourning and solidarity with our brother and sister officers of the Deptford Township Police Department, at the loss of our brother.
Our officers will don their dress uniforms and join our fellow law enforcement officers from across the region and the nation, to attend and honor Officer Shisler at his funeral on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. I am proud of all of our officers who have stepped up to assist with the funeral, as well as provide coverage and support to the Deptford Township Police Department during this difficult time. Our bond in the South Jersey law enforcement community has become stronger than ever. This will be part of the legacy of Officer Bobby Shisler.
I am proud of “Team Gloucester Township Police” Unity Tour riders and support crew, who just completed a memorial bicycle ride to Washington, DC to honor all fallen officers. They represented us, as the joined riders from across the nation to raise awareness and funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. I am also very proud of our seven police recruits who ran several miles of the Law Enforcement Memorial Run (www.lemr.us), as part of the Camden County College Police Academy Class #84. The recruits joined law enforcement officers from throughout the region, to raise funds and awareness for survivors of law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty. I was honored to be a speaker at the kickoff event to for the LEMR at XFinity Live in Philadelphia on May 12, 2023.
The Gloucester Township Police Department is celebrating our 100th Anniversary of service to community of Gloucester Township. Now more than ever, we recognize our sacred duty to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in law enforcement. We must never forget what Peace Officers Memorial Day is all about. We honor those who have fallen, by our promise to “Never Forget”, and by putting on our badge, vest, gun, and gear to serve as they would serve. We will continue to honor Officer Shisler and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice
We will be honoring the great work of the Gloucester Township Police Department, our law enforcement partners, and several citizens at our annual Awards Night on May 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Timber Creek High School Auditorium, 501 Jarvis Road, Erial, NJ 08081. This is a wonderful event that is open to the public.
On behalf of all the men and women of the Gloucester Township Police Department, I thank the community of Gloucester Township for the tremendous support that we receive. We are called to be Servant Leaders of our community, and the Gloucester Township Police Department takes this responsibility seriously.
I have never been prouder to be a police officer. I am proud to serve side by side with the Officers, Dispatchers, and Professional Staff of the Gloucester Township Police Department, who are part of the noblest profession of law enforcement. They are true professionals who will answer the call when needed.
To learn more about the Gloucester Township Police Department, go to www.gtpolice.com
For more information about the National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, go to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund at: https://nleomf.org/
To learn more about the fallen heroes that we honor this week, visit the Officer Down Memorial Page at: https://www.odmp.org/
Gloucester Township Police Department
