Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at Courthouse Thursday

JOLIET, IL — The Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be Thursday at noon on the north side of the courthouse. Prior to the ceremony, there will be a 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Magdalene Church on South Briggs Street. The public is invited to attend.

"President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962 and the week in which that date falls as Police Week," said Shorewood Police Chief Aaron Klima, the president of the Will County Association of Chiefs of Police.

"National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others," Klima said. "The Will County Association of Chiefs of Police honors that tradition by hosting our annual Memorial Service on the Thursday of that week each year."

Illinois State Police Director Leo P. Schmitz will speak at the event.