May 15th marks the beginning of National Law Enforcement Memorial week. As Memorial Day approaches, public servants are being remembered for their work and sacrifices made.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office and Bemidji Police Department held a memorial service on Thursday to honor their fallen comrades. In the last two years, eight Minnesota peace officers have fallen while in the line of duty. The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office organized the memorial for these officers at the fire station in Bemidji to honoring their colleagues.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This year’s week of remembrance focused on the mental health struggles that law enforcement officers live with. The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office is taking this message to heart and working to improve their employees’ mental health.

Bemidji Police Captain David LaZella says that 2021 surpassed 2020 as the deadliest year for law enforcement nationwide. There were 632 law enforcement deaths, and of that, 25% were self-inflicted. If COVID-19 deaths are not included in this data, this number would be 49%. Captain Jason Riggs says by focusing on talking about mental health needs, it takes away the stigma.

Two of the officers memorialized at the service were from the area. Shannon Lee “Opie” Barron from the Red Lake Police Department died of a heart attack. Ryan Andrew Bialke from the Red Lake Nation Police Department was shot and killed while responding to a distressed individual.

By — Mary Balstad