U.S. Attorney’s Office Remembers Fallen Law Enforcement During National Police Week

This week, May 11th through May 17th, is National Police Week.  This week is set aside once a year for communities across America to remember law enforcement officers who have died.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says,

"They risk their lives for all of us, and the men and women of the Western District salute and remember them during National Police Week.  We specifically remember those who have fallen while on duty and the legacy of service their sacrifice leaves. "

Finley's office says this year there will be 286 officers names that will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. that have been killed in the line of duty.

The fallen officers of 2013, which they wish to remember this year, include four members of the law enforcement community in the Western District of Louisiana.  The four are:

Sergeant Frederick Albert "Rick" Riggenbach of the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, who died on January 26, 2013.

Assistant Warden Peggy Sylvester of the Opelousas Police Department, who died on April 14, 2013.

Special Agent James Terry Watson of the Drug Enforcement Administration, who died June 21, 2013.

Deputy Sheriff Steven George Netherland of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, who died June 24, 2013.

Finley says her office works to assist local public safety officers by offering safety, survival and other training throughout the year to the 42 of Louisiana's 64 parishes in the district.  Courses are open to local, state, federal, military and tribal offices.

Finley says,

"We have and will continue to offer officer safety and survival training to increase awareness of the hazards our public safety officers face on a daily basis. Our goal is for all public safety officers to return home to their families at the end of their shifts each and every day."