Memorial Ceremony

Staff Sgt. Leah Kassebaum, a 19th Security Forces Squadron flight chief, takes a moment to reflect on the loss of Staff Sgt. John Self, a fallen 19th SFS member who paid the ultimate sacrifice while supporting combat operations in Southwest Asia, following the Global War on Terrorism Wreath Laying Ceremony May 17, 2012, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The 19th SFS squadron honored the memory of their fallen comrade during National Police Week, an annual week honoring the efforts of first responders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank)

Memorial Ceremony

Maj. Peter Lex, 19th Security Forces Squadron commander, lays a wreath during the Global War on Terrorism Wreath Laying Ceremony May 17, 2012, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Lex laid a wreath for Staff Sgt. John Self, a 19th SFS member who passed away while supporting combat operations in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank)

Memorial Ceremony

Maj. Peter Lex, 19th Security Forces Squadron commander and Lt. Col. Steven Coy, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander,salute for the singing of the National Anthem during the Global War on Terrorism Wreath Laying Ceremony May 17, 2012, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Lex and Coy laid wreaths to honor the members that paid the ultimate sacrifice from their squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank)

19th SFS honors responders during National Police Week

Published May 22, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19 th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- National Police Week is designated as a week to honor and celebrate the service of policemen. For the 19th Security Forces Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., it also gave them an opportunity to remember their fallen and the sacrifices made by not only service members, but all first responders.

Personnel from the base SFS, Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and Fire Department celebrated the week with a slew of events and demonstrations including a 24-hour ruck march, instruction on the application of non-lethal weapons such as using pepper spray and tazers, a performance by the canine team and demonstrations from the Fire Department and EOD.

However, the most meaningful and important event of the week for the base was a remembrance ceremony, honoring the service of Staff Sgt. John Self, 19th SFS, and Staff Sgt. Dustin Peters, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron, who both passed away while serving in Iraq.

"We want to remember our fallen and honor our present policemen and first responders in the world," said Staff Sgt. Leah Kassebaum, a 19th Security Forces Squadron flight chief. "I was a friend and co-worker of Sergeant Self. We want to make this week first about him, our fallen and then about the rest of us."

The family of Self was present for the memorial service in his memory.

"This was a solemn event," said Maj. Peter Lex, 19th SFS commander. "It really hit a lot of people hard emotionally because we have 20 or more people in the unit that served with Sergeant Self. This means a lot to our unit because it really hits home. We were glad to host his family and show them the memorial set up in his honor."

While the most solemn event was the memorial, Kassebaum said the week is not just about SFS Airmen, but about all first responders.

"We want to honor every first responder," she said. "We have a brotherhood with them, that's why we included the Jacksonville S.W.A.T. team and our brothers from the Fire Department and EOD. It's about honoring all of us."

The week was gave SFS a chance to highlight their dual mission, said Lex.

"We have a special mission here," said Lex. "We have a law enforcement function on the base, but we're also the military security function as well. Celebrating the week allows us to bridge that gap and helps us make a connection with our local police partners."
National Police Week began with a proclamation from President John F. Kennedy in 1962, designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week under which May 15 fell as National Police Week.

Lex said the inherently dangerous job of first responders is a special one, and the people performing them can't get enough recognition.

"These are tough jobs, but a lot of people do it voluntarily," he said. "This is a great time to focus on what we do, and how we fit into the big picture, on the law enforcement side and the air base defense side. We wanted to take time this week to honor our fallen, and also honor those currently serving as first responders, in and out of uniform."