National Police Week kicks off Monday Published May 13, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 72nd Security Forces Squadron will honor National Police Week May 11-16. The annual event observed by police units throughout the country honors active duty and fallen officers, their contributions, sacrifices and families. Tinker is scheduled to host 12 activities including weapons and vehicle displays, a command shootout and a memorial ceremony. "It's a pretty robust schedule, and people will get to see what cops do on base," said Master Sgt. Michael Bartels, point of contact for Tinker's police week observance. The week's activities will kick off at 7:20 a.m. Monday with a reveille ceremony outside Bldg. 460, at the flagpole. Highlights of the week include the command shootout held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bldg. 1050 and the memorial and retreat ceremony held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Bldg. 1086. Available to commanders, chief master sergeants and first sergeants, Sergeant Bartels said the command shootout replaces the traditional pistol competition. During the memorial ceremony, officials will recognize and remember fallen civilian law enforcement officers and Air Force Security Forces members who, in the past year, sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, by reading their names aloud. Sergeant Bartels said more than 150 police officers were killed in the United States and one Security Forces member was killed in the line of duty. Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel is also scheduled to say a few words during the memorial and retreat ceremony. And, senior-ranking law enforcement officials will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony similar to the one performed in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will conclude with a 21-gun salute. The week concludes May 16 with a poker run at Gott Gate, or Gate No. 34, at South Air Depot Blvd. Only three activities, including the poker run, require an entry fee. Twenty-one outside law enforcement agencies including county and city units were invited to participate in the weeks events. For more information, call Sergeant Bartels at 734-4124. 72nd SFS National Police Week activities Monday: 7:20 a.m. -- Reveille ceremony at Bldg. 460 11 a.m. -- Weapons display, vehicle display and K9 demonstration at Tinker Base Exchange, Bldg. 685 Tuesday: 11 a.m. -- K9 demonstration at BX 3 p.m. -- Crime prevention at BX food court Wednesday: 1 p.m. -- Command shootout at Bldg. 1050 3 p.m. -- "Fun Run" at the Hill Conference Center Thursday: 11 a.m. -- Bowling tournament at Bldg. 5703, $10 per person 3 p.m. -- Memorial and retreat ceremony at Bldg. 1086 May 15: 7:30 a.m. -- Golf tournament at Tinker Golf Course, $45 per person 12 p.m. -- Barbecue at Tinker Golf Course pavilion 1 May 16: 10 a.m. -- Poker run at Gott Gate, No. 34, $25 per person