For Immediate Release		May 7, 2008

Police Officer's Memorial Day

Chief Charles Jordan and the Hampton Police Division cordially extend an invitation to the media and general public to attend a memorial and honor award ceremony which will be held on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

President John F. Kennedy signed the law establishing National Police Week in 1962. This special time to salute America's law enforcement officers has been commemorated every year since. While the actual dates change from year to year, Police Week is always the seven-day period that begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday.

The memorial ceremony will pay tribute to slain Hampton Officers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The ceremony will be held at Honor Park. Honor Park, one-of-a-kind in Tidewater, recognizes the sacrifices of military personnel during World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War, and is located between City Hall and the Public Safety Building in Downtown Hampton. Permanently on display are bronze busts and plaques honoring the three Hampton Police Officers killed in the line of duty, (Ralph Ghivizzani - 1943, Mark Decuypere - 1975 and Kenny Wallace - 1994). In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the City Council Chambers located on the 8th floor of City Hall.

Chief Jordan will preside over the ceremony and family members of the slain officers will be in attendance. For any additional information concerning this event, you may contact the Public Information Office at 727-6608.