Since 1961 the nation, and its communities, every May 15th, honor the peace officer who made the ultimate sacrifice. In the upper peninsula the region honors and celebrates fallen officers’ memories, and comes together on peace officer memorial day annually to hand off the traveling peace officer memorial plaque. The plaque lists the name of every officer serving the in the upper peninsula who felt motivated to selflessly give back to their community. This year’s keynote speaker, Houghton County prosecutor Dan Helmer, spoke about the deep sense of commitment officers and public servants feel.
Throughout my career, I’ve always encountered officers who have a strong desire to serve the public and to help people. And that’s no different here, probably even more so in the upper peninsula. Most of those I work with here are serving in the communities they grew up in, all the way from being a kid and going to school there to now. And I think it’s important to them to make a difference and to help their neighbor and help their family and to help their friends and make our communities better places. And every one of them has that motivation. Part of my speech today was for them to recognize that that is appreciated. And sometimes the loudest voice you hear isn’t necessarily the voice of reason. And we need to support our law enforcement here in the Upper Peninsula and across the nation. Dan Helmer, prosecutor, Houghton County
The ceremony today included officers from around the Upper Peninsula at every level. Gogeibc County Sheriff passed the Upper Peninsula peace officer memorial plaque to Houghton County’s sheriff. The sheriff’s department will proudly display the plaque at the office throughout the year. Later in May the public may stop by the office on Houghton Avenue to view the plaque and honor fallen public servants. The plaque will again travel around the region in 2026.
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