Podcast
On Sunday May 5th, 2002 the Franklin Police Honor Guard traveled to Newport, RI to take part in the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade. This is an annual event held just prior to the start of National Police Week.
From the sponsors website:
The event, drawing a crowd of about 70,000 spectators lining the sidewalks
and lawns to watch, over 4,000 participants commemorate National Police Week.
This event is one of only a handful of Parades of this type around the country
outside of Washington D.C. This eight division parade includes 180 units
representing over 50 police departments from as far away as Illinois as well as
contingents from the Canadian Royal Mounted Police and the elite US Marine Corp
8th & I marching unit from Washington D.C. assigned to the President of the
United States. This event, which is covered live, also includes many crowd
pleasers such as the Philadelphia Mummers, New York PD Emerald Society Bagpipe
Band, New York City PD Marching Band and many others. In addition to being a
fun-filled day for thousands of families around the state, it honors all police
officers and law enforcement agents for their dedication to duty, especially
those injured or those who gave their lives in the line of duty protecting our
country.
Representatives from the C.O.P.S. organization (Concerns Of Police
Survivors) always participate in the parade and are honored for their
dedication and sacrifice.
Every year approximately 150 officers die in the line of duty. In the year 2000,
deaths in the line of duty rose 11% from the previous year. On the evening prior
to the parade a memorial church service is held to honor all deceased law
enforcement agents.
Two Franklin Police DARE Graduates carry the banner for the Honor Guard
Members of the Honor Guard stop for a group photo
Several members of the Honor Guard pose with Miss Rhode Island
For more information and photos of the Franklin Police Honor Guard click here.