Police Week celebrations underway locally, conclude with memorial Friday

Hopkinsville is celebrating National Police Week and events wrap up on Friday with a memorial to fallen officers.

Hopkinsville Police Department Chief Clayton Sumner appeared on WHOP Wednesday morning and says the memorial, while not hosted by the Fraternal Order Police this year due to COVID protocols, will take place Friday morning at 10 a.m. with a brief ceremony.

On Thursday at 3 p.m. the K9 officers and handlers will be at the Hopkinsville Dog Park to answers any questions and take photos.  It’s a challenging time in the law enforcement career, with Chief Sumner saying one of this biggest problems right now is recruitment and retention.

Chief Sumner says his department is fortunate to have the overwhelming support of the community, and they’ve worked hard to try and foster good, trusting relationships.

A proclamation was held earlier in the week commemorating Police Week with Mayor Wendell Lynch and Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble.