National Police Week, May 11-17
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Part of that proclamation designated the week that May 15 falls in as Police Week. National Police Week, observed from May 11 to May 17, honors the lives of the police officers that gave their lives in the line of duty.
“I invite State and local governments, patriotic, civic, and educational organizations, and the people of the United States generally, to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week in this year and each succeeding year with appropriate ceremonies in which all our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their respon
sibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities, and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens,” stated the 1963 proclamation.
Every year in May, the Indiana State Police holds memorial services throughout the state to honor the memory of those who have died in the line of duty. Every ISP district hosts a memorial service.
The Bremen District will be holding its memorial service on Wednesday, May 25 at 11 a.m. To see a list of the other memorial services, visit https://www.in.gov/isp/about-isp/in-memoriam/memorial-services/.
The ISP website, in.gov/isp, lists every fallen ISP officer. The list is current as of 2019. Listed are two officers that were stationed at the Bremen District.
Master Motor Carrier Inspector Ralph Reed, Jr. (May 24, 1947-Aug. 3, 1995), was patrolling US 30 near Plymouth when he stopped to inspect a semi-tractor trailer. As Inspector Reed walked around the tractor-trailer, an on-coming semi tractor-trailer hauling cattle struck and killed him. Inspector Reed was the first ISP motor carrier inspector to be killed in the line of duty. He was appointed on April 16, 1968. Inspector Reed’s hometown was Plymouth.
Trooper Jason E. Beal (Jan. 16, 1975-Jan. 15, 2000), was patrolling southeastern Kosciusko County, Trooper Beal when he stopped to assist a wrecker operator. The operator was pulling a car out from a ditch. As the two men worked alongside State Road 14, the driver of a passing vehicle lost control on the icy roadway and struck the wrecker and Trooper Beal. He passed away from his injuries three days later. He was appointed to the Bremen District on Dec. 13, 1998. His hometown was Shelbyville.