Peace Officers Memorial Day was approved by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962 and established by Presidential Proclamation. A little history:
Whereas, from the beginning of this Nation, law enforcement officers have played an important role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms which are guaranteed by the Constitution and in protecting the lives and property of our citizens; and
Whereas, through constant application of new procedures and techniques, such officers are becoming more efficient in their enforcement of our laws; and
Whereas it is important that our people know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police departments and the necessity for cooperating with them in maintaining law and order; and
Whereas it is fitting and proper that we express our gratitude for the dedicated service and courageous deeds of law enforcement officers and for the contributions they have made to the security and well-being of all our people; and
Whereas, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (76 Stat. 676), the Congress has requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week:
Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy,President of the United States of America, do hereby designate May 15, 1963, and May 15 of each succeeding year, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of those peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, have lost their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty.
I also designate the week of May 12 through May 18, 1963, and the calendar week during which May 15 occurs of each succeeding year, as Police Week, in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, protect us through enforcement of our laws.
I invite State and local governments, patriotic, civic, and educational organizations, and the people of the United States generally, to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week in this year and each succeeding year with appropriate ceremonies in which all our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities, and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens.
In Witness Whereof,I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-seventh.
JOHN F. KENNEDY
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 15th, 2012 1:58 pm
Recent police incidents and arrests in Fredericksburg:
INDECENT EXPOSURE:
Canal Path/Fall Hill Ave, 5/14 7:40 pm. A resident reported that a male subject exposed himself to her while she was jogging on the canal path near the area of the Outdoor Center on Fall Hill Avenue. The victim further reported that the subject followed her for a short distance after she passed him on the path and until she met up with another woman who was also exercising alone. The two females continued running toward Rt.1 and the first female exited the path and stopped at a business to call police.
After notifying police, the victim continued running up Mary Washington Boulevard and she saw the same male subject again on the steps leading down to the canal path at the Snowden wetlands. The victim flagged down a Virginia State Police trooper near Mary Washington Hospital who searched the area along with Fredericksburg officers, but the suspect was not located. The suspect was described as a black male in his 20’s with medium complexion, approximately 6’ and 160 pounds, with a short afro hair style. He was wearing a white tank top and blue jeans. The suspect did not say anything to the victim. The investigation is ongoing.
LARCENY:
Radley Cadillac, 3421 Jefferson Davis Hwy, 5/12 – 5/14 7:00 am. A manager reported that all four tires and the stereo were stolen from a customer’s vehicle which had been left at the business for repair. The investigation is ongoing.
ARRESTS:
Dominique Thomas, 24, of Spotsylvania was arrested for possession of marijuana.
Nickolas Baldwin, 30, of Spotsylvania was arrested for possession of schedule I, II narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as on a warrant from Spotsylvania charging him with failure to pay child support and a warrant from Stafford charging him with probation violation.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 15th, 2012 9:11 am
The Fredericksburg Police Department is seeking information concerning the whereabouts of a suspect wanted for the rape of a child. Jonathan Rodriguez Arzuaga, 20, of unknown address, is charged with rape of a victim under the age of 13, forcible sodomy, and abduction. The offenses occurred at a home on Airport Avenue and the suspect is an acquaintance of the victim’s family. Rodriguez Arzuaga is a white male, 5’8” and 175 pounds, with pierced ears and a pierced eyebrow. He is known to have relatives in the Woodford area of Caroline County.
 Jonathan Rodriguez Arzuaga Anyone with information about Jonathan Rodriguez Arzuaga should contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at (540)373-3122. Callers are not required to give their names.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 14th, 2012 11:44 am
Recent police incidents and arrests in Fredericksburg:
ASSAULT:
1100 block Lafayette Blvd, 5/13 10:10 am. A homeless female reported that she was walking through the parking lot of a business on Lafayette Blvd and saw a male subject sitting in a car. The female continued walking. The man got out of the vehicle and approached the victim, grabbed her by the arm, and demanded that she perform a sex act. The victim was able to break free and ran from the scene unharmed. The suspect was described as a white male in his 50’s, approximately 5’9” and 260 pounds, wearing a blue T-shirt, blue ball cap, and black pants. The suspect’s vehicle was described as a newer model four-door sedan, silver in color. The investigation is ongoing.
BURGLARY:
800 block Cobblestone Blvd, 5/14 4:45 am. A resident reported that he was awakened by a loud noise in his apartment. He walked into his living room and found an unknown male standing in the room. The resident yelled at the intruder, who then ran out the back door, jumped the balcony railing, and fled on foot toward Lafayette Boulevard. The victim did not report anything stolen. The suspect was described as a white male in his 20’s, approximately 5’ 8” and 185 pounds, with short dark hair and no facial hair. The suspect was wearing a black zip-up jacket and black pants. The investigation is ongoing.
LARCENY:
Charlotte International, 1609 Dixon St, 5/10 8:40 pm – 5/11 9:00 am. The owner reported that the tires and rims were stolen from a vehicle on the lot. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
Quarles Petroleum, 1701 Fall Hill Ave, 5/1 – 5/12 8:00 am. A resident reported that the catalytic converter was stolen from his vehicle. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
400 block Pelham St, 5/12 – 5/13 5:30 am. A resident reported that a tree was uprooted and stolen from the front of her residence. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
VANDALISM:
800 block Grove Ave, 5/6 – 5/13 2:20 pm. A resident reported that the glass in her back door was shattered. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
2500 block Manor Ct, 5/13 8:00 pm. A resident reported that the windshield on his vehicle was shattered by BB shot. A juvenile suspect has been identified and the investigation is ongoing.
Cal Ripken Ballpark, 1200 Wicklow Dr, 5/12 – 5/14 6:30 am. An employee reported that graffiti was found spray painted inside a storage building and on the hood of a lawn tractor owned by the foundation. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
DUI ARRESTS:
Andrew Ford, 23, of Culpeper was arrested for DUI in the 3200 block of Plank Road.
Jacob Myers, 25, of Fairfax was arrested for DUI in the 2100 block of Plank Road.
Mathew Jenkins, 19, of Fredericksburg was arrested for DUI and underage possession of alcohol on Lee Drive at Lafayette Boulevard.
Michael Deluca, 53, of New Preston, Connecticut was arrested for DUI in the 1000 block of Hospitality Lane.
Juan Garcia, 55, of Spotsylvania was arrested for DUI in the 800 block of William Street.
ARRESTS:
Duane Graves, 45, of no fixed address was arrested for possession of alcohol on the riverbank.
John Talley, 31, of Fredericksburg was arrested for assault and battery.
Christopher Skinner, 26, of Fredericksburg was arrested for public intoxication.
Mathew Grimes, 25, of Stafford was arrested for possession of alcohol on the riverbank.
Martinez Wright, 22, of Fredericksburg was arrested for public intoxication and assault and battery.
Zestherleena Robertson, 24, of Fredericksburg was arrested for abuse/neglect of a child.
Hermida Perdomo, 36, of Harrisonburg was arrested for animal cruelty.
Brian Brandrup, 29, of Spotsylvania was arrested for resisting arrest and on a warrant from Stafford charging him with felony shoplifting.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 14th, 2012 10:50 am
Recent police incidents and arrests in Fredericksburg:
LARCENY:
Westwood Shopping Center, 1931 Plank Rd, 5/3 – 5/10 3:00 pm. A property manager reported that a metal storm grate was stolen from the shopping center. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
DUI ARRESTS:
Ryan Page, 21 of Fredericksburg was arrested for DUI, hit and run, and reckless driving in the 2100 block of College Avenue.
Elwin Aguilera, 21, of Spotsylvania was arrested for DUI and refusal to submit to a blood or breath test in the 700 block of Cornell Street.
ARRESTS:
Qacdir Lowery, 30, of no fixed address was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of an illegal narcotic(ecstasy), and disorderly conduct.
Danny Chapman, 43, of no fixed address was arrested for public intoxication.
Daniel Larson, 48, of no fixed address was arrested for public intoxication.
Sarah Hader, 19, of Spotsylvania was arrested for public intoxication and underage possession of alcohol.
Gregory Stodgel, 21, of Spotsylvania was arrested for public intoxication and providing alcohol to an underage person.
John Strother, 27, of no fixed address was arrested for domestic assault and battery.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 11th, 2012 10:22 am
Members of the Fredericksburg Police Department have joined with other law enforcement teams from all over the country for the Law Enforcement United 2012 Road to Hope. Riders started the tour today, some in Chesapeake, Virginia and others in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the two groups will meet up in Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday for the final leg into Washington D.C.
The riders will travel more than 200 miles over three days in honor of their law enforcement brethren who have lost their lives in the line of duty and in support of the survivors left behind.
On Friday, May 11, around 2 p.m. the LEU Road to Hope will make a stop at the Fredericksburg Police headquarters on Cowan Boulevard.
Law Enforcement United serves to raise funds and awareness for the Concerns of Police Survivors and the Officer Down Memorial Page. The Road to Hope is a precursor to next week’s National Police Week.
 Officer Joe Young rides in tribute to his friend, Officer Todd Bahr EOW June 6, 2008
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 10th, 2012 11:35 am
Recent police incidents and arrests in Fredericksburg:
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY:
Livesay & Myers, 308 Wolfe St, 5/8 – 5/9 8:30 am. An employee reported that an unknown person attempted to gain entry to the business by prying open the front door. The investigation is ongoing.
LARCENY:
3200 block Fall Hill Ave, 5/9 1:00 pm – 2:40 pm. A Stafford resident reported that a window on her vehicle was broken and her purse was stolen from inside. No suspects or witnesses at this time.
ARRESTS:
Frank Smith, 56, of no fixed address was arrested for public intoxication.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 10th, 2012 10:11 am
Fredericksburg detectives have charged one of the suspects involved in the home invasion robbery that occurred on May 7 in the 500 block of Pitt Street. Warrants have been obtained against Matthew Wayne Wiland, 20, of Fredericksburg charging him with three counts of robbery as well as burglary and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Wiland is considered armed and dangerous and he has not yet been arrested. Wiland is known to frequent Riverside Manor townhomes and Fall Hill Apartments, both located off Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg.
Matthew Wayne Wiland
Detectives continue to investigate the involvement of the two other male subjects who were reported to have participated in this crime. Those two individuals are encouraged to contact the Fredericksburg Police Department and speak to investigators.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at (540)373-3122. Callers are not required to give their names.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 9th, 2012 1:36 pm
Recent police incidents and arrests in Fredericksburg:
DUI ARRESTS:
Dabney Broaddus, 23, of Richmond was arrested for DUI in the 1300 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy.
ARRESTS:
Dorothy Horton, 22, of no fixed address was arrested for domestic assault and battery.
James Duff, 42, of Fredericksburg was arrested for possession of marijuana.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 9th, 2012 10:06 am
Fredericksburg detectives are seeking information concerning three suspects who committed a home invasion robbery last night at 10:20 p.m. in the 500 block of Pitt Street. A 22-year-old resident reported that he was awakened by somebody pounding on his bedroom door. When the victim opened the door, a masked male pointed a shotgun at the victim’s head and yelled at him to hand over some unknown property that the gunman wanted.
At the same time, two other male suspects had gone into another bedroom belonging to a housemate. Suspect #2 and #3 woke up the second victim, a 20-year-old male, and brought him into the room to sit on the bed with the first victim. A third victim, a 21-year-old friend who was sleeping on a couch, was also woken up by Suspect #2 and #3 and placed in a room with his friends while the first suspect held them at gunpoint.
Suspect #2 and #3 apparently ransacked the house, then stole the cell phones and other personal items of value from the victims before all three suspects left the scene. The armed suspect was described as a black male in his late 20’s, approximately 5’9” and 160 pounds, wearing all black clothing and a bandanna on his face. Suspect #2 was described as a white male in his early 20’s wearing a black North Face fleece pullover. Suspect #3 was described as a heavyset black male wearing a red shirt and red ball cap.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at (540)373-3122. Callers are not required to give their names.
By Natatia Bledsoe on May 8th, 2012 9:21 am
|
|
