National Police Week is underway, a time set aside annually to remember fallen members of law enforcement.  

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the week-long commemoration, which includes the annual Blue Ribbon week event, with motorists displaying blue ribbons to honor those who have fallen. 

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says his department is honored, each year, to play a role in the commemoration(Play Audio)

Merchant calls the history behind the founding of National Police Week “very interesting,” including the use of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, built into the law establishing the week long remembrance(Play Audio) 

Merchant is encouraging public involvement during the week, making available the blue ribbons to display(Play Audio) 

The Brown County Sheriffs office would like to invite the public to help honor those who have lost their lives by displaying a blue ribbon on the antenna of your vehicle. 

The Sheriff's Office has blue ribbons available free of charge during the week of May 13-19. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Brown County Sheriffs office at 785-742-7125.

Law Enforcement Code Of Ethics

      As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community;

to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak

against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and

to respect the constitutional right of all to liberty, equality and justice.

       I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave

in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency.  I will maintain

courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint;

and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.  Honest in thought and deed

both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the

regulations of my department.   Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature

or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless

revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

        I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political

beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions.  With no

compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce

the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never

employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

       I recognize the badge of my office as symbol of public faith, and I accept it

as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service.  I

will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by

other police officers.  I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their

representatives in the pursuit of justice.

        I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional

performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my

level of knowledge and competence.

       I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself

before God to my chosen profession...law enforcement.