The Milton Police Department will recognize Police Week by solemnly remembering fallen officers and strengthening its community connections – the latter being fostered through a series of above-and-beyond activities to serve society in different ways.

Police Week’s origins date to 1962, when then-President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor officers nationwide who’d tragically lost their lives on duty. The commemoration has evolved since, though Police Week still always overlaps with that May 15 date and, at least in our region, pays tribute to those killed or fatally wounded while serving and protecting citizens.

This year, Milton Police officers will join counterparts from around the region at 11 a.m. on May 15 for a Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony at Roswell Area Park (by the 9/11 Memorial). This event honors the 165 law enforcement personnel who died on the job nationwide in 2024 – six of them in Georgia. And it has special meaning in Roswell, where Officer Jeremy Labonte was fatally shot last February.

Milton Police are also using Police Week as an opportunity to engage our community and make a positive impact. These activities include:

• A shredding event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday, May 12, outside the MPD building at 13690 Highway 9 (the back building of the Milton Public Safety Complex). Anyone can bring items – up to a five box or bag maximum – to be confidentially shredded until the event finishes up or the shredding truck fills up (which typically happen faster than you may think). There are no appointments necessary.

   

• An American Red Cross blood drive between 2 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at Stonecreek Church (13540 Highway 9, which makes them Milton Police’s neighbors). To schedule a time to donate, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time?dt=WB:PL:DR:PM&zipSponsor=30004, or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code MPD. Donors receive a $20 e-gift card.

   

• Around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, starting outside the front of City Hall, Milton Police Officers will jog around downtown Crabapple as part of their annual “Torch Run” raising awareness for the Special Olympics. Once again (happening this year around 9 a.m.), MPD officers will hand the torch to Roswell colleagues, who will proceed with it south along Crabapple Road for their Special Olympics run.

   

• Officers will begin Friday, May 16, by joining Crabapple Crossing Elementary students heading to class for National Walk Safely to School Day. Then in the afternoon, starting at 4 p.m., MPD will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony saluting its members’ outstanding service and dedication. Citizens are welcome to join us in saluting these outstanding officers at Milton Municipal Court (13690 Highway 9 in the same building as the Police Station).

Whether or not you can take part in any of the above events, the Milton Police greatly appreciate our community’s sincere engagement, steadfast support, and determination to do their part to make our city a great place. This spirit is worth celebrating every day, and especially during Police Week.