Bend ceremony honors Central Oregon law enforcement

Monday marked the beginning of Peace Officers Week. On Tuesday, Central Oregon law enforcement gathered in Bend to celebrate the men and women who serve our community and protect us every day.

At the Heroes Memorial at Brooks Park, police officers from Redmond and Bend, as well as the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police, came together to honor those who have died in the line of duty and to thank one another for making their jobs possible every day, as well as the community for its support.

The color guard was there to begin the Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony as family and friends took their seats.

Redmond police Lieutenant Curtis Chambers spoke, as well as Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson.

“This is where we are able to recognize our fallen partners in the line of duty and pay special tribute to them,” Nelson said. “It’s also a way to celebrate those men and women who are doing the hard work on the front lines every day.”

Nelson added that it isn’t the only day they’ll be celebrating their hard work, but will continue to memorialize the work they do, as well as thank the community.

“We have our Law Enforcement Memorial today, and we are going to recognize it all week long,” the sheriff said. “It’s important that we have a strong partnership with the people we serve. I want to recognize our most valuable resource and that’s the people I work with.”

There was a moment of silence as the color guard played “Amazing Grace” to remember those fallen officers. This has been a day to celebrate law enforcement since President Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1994.

Michaela Beechem will have a report on NewsChannel 21 Fox @ 4.