BY HANNAH LESTER
HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSEREVR.COM
LEE COUNTY —
The Lee County Commission paid homage and respect to peace officers in Lee County by recognizing May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day during its Monday night meeting.
“The United States Congress, by joint resolution, established National Police Week to pay special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the service of protecting others,” said the packet from the commission. “… In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.”
This year, there will be 556 names of peace officers added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.
Nine of those lost their lives in Alabama. Six have lost their lives in Lee County since 1889.
“The Lee County Commission recognizes the services and sacrifice of our nations’ peace officers and specifically those peace officers who lost their lives serving the citizens of Lee County and jointly recognized May 15, 2023, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day,” the packet said.
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones presented the resolution that the commission approved in joint with Congress.
“Six of the names of that wall are officers who served with Opelika, Auburn and Lee County, starting with Henry Hart in Opelika, Sheriff Buck Jones, then Lt. Brenton Truitt with Opelika, then Roger Motley with the city of Opelika … then James Anderson with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and most recently, William Buechner for the city of Auburn,” he said.
Probate Judge Bill English said he was present when Motley’s wife was informed.
“I’ll never forget the scream of his wife when that news was broken to her downstairs, it was an awful day,” English said.
Jones also expressed he’d like to bring a resolution before the commission at its next meeting for National Correction Officers Week.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The commission announced two vacancies on the Lee County Planning Commission.
– The commission announced two vacancies on the East Alabama Health Care Authority.
– The commission heard the second reading of an opening on the Lee County Recreation Board.
– The commission approved an agreement for Threat Advice Cybersecurity Education and Threat Awareness.
– The commission approved an educational reimbursement request.
– The commission approved a retail beer and retail table wine application for Liberty Express Food Mart.
– The commission approved the final plat approval for Halawakee Creek Landing Subdivision, Phase 2.
– The commission approved a resolution to transfer property — nine open top containers — to Opelika.