ficer and Local 311 member Joe Franklin succumbed to injuries
suffered in a crash that took place near Far Hills in Morris County early on the second day of the ride. But as law enforcement
officers usually do, they came together to create an overwhelming tribute to Franklin that concluded with a moment of silence
at the Memorial.
National Law Enforcement Memorial Executive Director
Craig Floyd then added some words to the tribute:
“Tragically, we lost Joe, but what comforts me at a time like
this, and I hope it comforts all of you, is that Joe was doing exactly what he wanted to be doing,” Floyd began. “He was honoring the men and women in law enforcement who have made
the ultimate sacrifice. What he has done is inspired us to make
our resolve even stronger, and we will never forget Joe Franklin
and what he stood for.”
Floyd joined many others in asserting that Franklin would
have wanted the Unity Tour and Police Week to achieve its ultimate goal of paying tribute to all law enforcement officers. The
Vigil on the Mall certainly achieved that objective.
And with the National Law Enforcement Museum not scheduled to open until July 2019, the Vigil will probably return to the
National Mall as Police Week probably continues to get even
bigger. This might just be what law enforcement needs. As Colligan points out, it’s tough to have something that big on the
Mall and not be recognized.
And this is exactly the type of recognition that would shine
the best light on the profession for the best possible moment.
Some might even call it monumental. d
28
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ JUNE 2016