Dumas honors officers at 3rd annual law enforcement memorial during National Police Week
The 3rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial was held at McDade Park in Dumas, where law enforcement officers from multiple agencies attended this event to pay their respects and honor those who died in the line of duty. (Drew Powell/KVII)
DUMAS, Texas (KVII) — This week in May is National Police Week, May 11-17. Ceremonies and tributes are held across the country to honor men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their community they serve.
The 3rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial was held at McDade Park in Dumas, where law enforcement officers from multiple agencies attended this event to pay their respects and honor those who died in the line of duty.
“We started this to not only honor the local officers who have fallen in the line of duty but also the officers across the state who have lost their lives while serving their community,” said Rick Pippins, police chief for the city of Dumas.
“It’s the least we can do, you know, for those who have given everything for us and the families that have lost ones because of those ultimate sacrifices,” said Pat Sims, mayor of Dumas.
“But it’s also a remembrance for us to look back on things and to see how we do it and proceed forward not only for ourselves but in our community,” said Clayton Blacksher, K9 Trooper for Texas DPS.
Holding a ceremony is a reminder of just how dangerous working in the law enforcement profession can be.
“Unfortunately, these types of incidents happen all over the state, all over the nation and all over the world,” said Blacksher. “At any given time, we have to be vigilant; we always have to keep our eyes open in front and behind us.”
“Unfortunately, Texas seems to be at the top or near the top of the list every year for officers killed in the line of duty,” said Pippins. “Through efforts at the state level and also the Texas Police Chiefs Association was certainly doing our best to change that trend.”
The hope is that one day there will be zero deaths for an entire year and beyond.
In 2024, there were a reported 147 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. New York ranked second behind Texas, and 15 states reported no officer deaths in the line of duty.
