Bradford County Marks Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk

National Law Enforcement Day will be observed on Friday, Jan. 9, Bradford County Sheriff C.J. Walters (top, right) spoke during the meeting of the county commissioners on Thursday in support of approximately 780,000 police officers across the country who put on a badge each day knowing that they may face extreme and dangerous circumstances. At the entrance of the Bradford County Courthouse, Walters is shown with (from left) Chief Deputy David Hart, Deputy Brian Wibirt, and Deputy Dan Bush.

Toward the end of a detail-laden yet relatively short meeting of the Bradford County Commissioners, County Sheriff C.J. Walters had an opportunity to draw attention to the nation’s response to the recent attacks on police officers in Pennsylvania, New York, and across the world.

Law enforcement officials are among a relatively small percentage of Americans who leave for work each not knowing if they will return home to their families. In an adapted resolution and press release, Walters shared the sentiments of The National Fraternal Order of the Police, which has partnered with Concerns of Police Survivors and Law Enforcement (COPS), to celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Friday, Jan. 9.

Walters and his department are no strangers to the harsh realities what the public often perceives as routine police work, having lost two esteemed deputies – Michael VanKuren and Christopher Burgert – were killed in Wells Township in the process of serving a warrant. According to the press release, an average of 150 officers die nationally in the line of duty each year. Law enforcement, it notes, is not just a job, but a calling. 

All three commissioners expressed approval for Walters’ resolution and support for the work of his department and other police departments in the county. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Department encourages citizens to join them in thanking law enforcement officials at every level for their service to society.

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The Towanda Borough Police station.

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