SBPD starts National Police Week with wreath laying ceremony at Southlawn Cemetery

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The South Bend Police Department kicked off National Police Week with a wreath laying ceremony at the Fallen Officers Memorial in Southlawn Cemetery.

James Burns, Chaplin for SBPD and FOP 36, said, "It's a way to show unity, not only to us as officers, but to the community that they know we still stand together, and we will stand together for all fallen officers who gave that sacrifice. It's also a huge reminder to their families that we will never forget their loved ones."

SBPD was joined by the St. Joseph County, Mishawaka, and the Pokagon Band Police Departments as well.

Kathy Karczewski, mother of fallen SBPD officer Scott Severns, "I mean, their life is on the line every minute of the day when they're working and when they're not working. And my son, Scott Severns was an awesome police officer, and he died in 2006 from a gunshot wound. Somebody was trying to rob him because he was out of uniform. He was going to work."

The ceremony is meant to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

National Police Week is May 11-17.