Governor Kelly Signs Executive Order Establishing Kansas Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Day
TOPEKA — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 26-07 on Oct. 6, establishing Kansas Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Day on the first Friday of May each year, with the first observance set for May 7, 2027.
The order requires flags statewide to fly at half-staff on Memorial Day in honor of fallen Kansas law enforcement officers. State figures show 312 officers have died in the line of duty since 1866. At this year's memorial ceremony, Kelly honored four of them: Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office Deputy Daryl Gaede, Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ming, and St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office deputies Simoncic and Heimann.
Kelly said the memorial day will ensure the public remembers the sacrifices of officers who gave their lives protecting their communities, and honors their families. Law enforcement agencies and survivors' groups welcomed the move.
The order also encourages county governments and law enforcement agencies to hold remembrance events on the day.
Sources: Topeka Capital-Journal (cjonline); Salina Post (Oct. 6 reports)
At the signing ceremony, Kelly said the day will allow Kansans to learn fallen officers' stories, remember their service and recognize the families and fellow officers who continue to carry their memory forward; the order also formalizes the annual memorial tradition long held at the Statehouse. Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Erik Smith praised Kelly's support of law enforcement during her tenure as governor and senator.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: GSM 行政令统一模板（堪萨斯州州长行政令）
