QPD Chief Yates thanks officers, reminds them to take care of themselves at National Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony

QUINCY — Community members gathered outside of the Quincy Police Department to honor to National Police Week and to commemorate police officers who lost their lives in the field.

In the 2024 calendar year, 148 police officers died across the nation while serving.

Mayor Linda Moore delivered a proclamation recognizing National Police Week 2025 and honoring the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

“I encourage all citizens to make every effort to express their appreciation to these men and women in our community and communities across the nation who will. To sacrifice their lives, if necessary, to protect us and our loved ones against all who would violate the law,” Moore said.

Chief of Police Adam Yates spoke as well, reading the names of all 14 police officers killed in the bi-state area, ranging back to 1876. The most recent police death was Clark M. Urban of the Missouri Police Department, who died of assault on October 19, 1989.

Yates also made a personal plea to the officers to take care of themselves.

“Too often we get caught up in this culture of service, and we forget to focus on ourselves. If you take care of your physical self as well as your mental health, you are more likely to survive the attack when it comes,” Yates said. “Your community needs you at your best, and your family needs you to come home.”

Quincy Police Department Sgt. John Douglas and retired Sgt. John Summers placed a wreath at the monument of fallen soldiers.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Police Department’s Honor Guard raised the American Flag and the Quincy Police Department Flag to half-mast while a staticky recording of bagpipes and then a bugle playing Taps sounded.

“As we close,” Yates said, “I want to thank those members of our respective communities who support your local, county, state and federal law enforcement officers. Your kind words of appreciation and encouragement, not just during Police Week but throughout the year, mean more to us than you will ever know.”