News Releases
5/18/2022 - Mayor Davis' Remarks at Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony
The following are remarks made by Mayor Dr. Trent Davis, M.D. at the
Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony held at Jerry Ivey Park on
Wednesday, May 18th:
“The job title: Law Enforcement Officer. The job requirements:
Watchman, supervisor, director, counselor, sympathizer, consoler,
mentor, improviser, strategist, negotiator, gentle yet persuasive,
athlete, unafraid, and generally, Superman. We ask them to give 110%
all the time, no matter what side of the bed they get out of in the
morning. We ask for respect for everyone, knowing that not everyone
woke up with good in their heart that day. We ask for full
concentration, even when their middle school aged child’s science
project is due in 24 hours. We ask them to walk lightly but carry a big
stick, yet also in a split second to balance “innocent ‘til proven guilty”
with “probable cause” with “implicit bias” with “reasonable force”
and, most importantly with “self-preservation.” In the 2000’s, we’ve
asked them to learn that concepts of “Cultural Competency”, “Bias
Awareness”, and “De-escalation” can potentially save more lives than
marksmanship.
Yet, we ask them to accept being relatively defenseless against the
first strike of unprovoked and unexpected aggressive actions. We
expect these brave people, whose dreams and fears are no different
from our own, to fill out the uniform and wear the badge to accept the
risk that a routine day at the office can dash the future plans they
share with their own family. We forget their real names: Honey,
Sweetheart, Coach, Daddy, Mommy, Sis, Brother, Son, Daughter. It is
difficult to express the full gratitude we owe the families of the
officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for Salina, Saline County, and
the State of Kansas. Let us not forget the obligation we have to
prepare and provide our current officers with the tools, talents, and
cooperation to assure that each one makes it home safely to his or her
family every night. Salina and Saline County: thank you from the
bottom of our hearts.”