[Music] Last month, Tui Dina police officers loaded up their police motorcycles, grabbed some snack bags, and hit the road to head out east. Their destination, Washington, DC to participate in an annual series of events commemorating the contributions and sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel across the country. TV brings you the story of their journey, the support that made it possible, and why this year was especially significant for the participating officers. Every year, members of police departments across the country travel to this special get together. It's the only week throughout each year that law enforcement officers that die in the land of duty are honored. It's a time for families, friends, colleagues can get together, mourn a loss, and pay tribute to their fallen officer. Adina Police is one of the few departments in the Twin Cities to have police motorcycles. When word got out about the trip, community organizations chipped in to support the Adina Crime Prevention Fund. um they've been a a staunch supporter of the Edina Police motorcycle program since as long as I've been here and as long as I've been a motorcycle officer. So, one key part for the Adina Crime Prevention Fund is officer recognition and wellness. National Police Week is attended by between 25 and 40,000 law enforcement officers. And so having that opportunity in Edina to send a couple representatives is important in terms of morale, in terms of recognition, and allowing for our community to unite with the national community. Members of the Adina Citizens Academy also provided snacks and other goodies. The group has come together to support the police officers in any way we can. They made us goodie bags with, you know, homemade chocolate chip cookies, popcorn, all sorts of stuff just to get us through the long trip. For Adina Police Sergeant Darren Czek, this trip had a personal connection. We have a Jamal Mitchell who passed and he worked for the Minneapolis Police Department. Burnsville Police Department lost two officers and one paramedic. Matthew Rugie, Paul Elmstrand, and then firefighter Adam Finsath. Adam was a colleague of mine 5 years ago when I worked for a firefighter agency uh near Burnsville. And I thought it was special for this time to be able to go out and honor him. The trip took 2 days. Once there, the contingent from Minnesota, including members of the University of Minnesota and Egan police departments, joined approximately 300 motorcycle police officers from around the country. You know, as far west as California, New Mexico, far south as Miami, Florida. So, they're coming from all across the place. Just getting to work with those guys. There's definitely a camaraderie that comes with being a motor officer. Once there, they had a chance to help out in a significant way. That first day, we got to escort the fallen family members from the Burnsville incident as well as the family members from the Jamal Mitchell incident in Minneapolis. One of the Burnsville officers who was also involved in that incident, who was also who was wounded during that. He came out and was, you know, gave us a hug and kind of showed his support. And then the morning of the candlelight vigil, I actually was just standing in the hotel and I saw a Minneapolis officer with a smaller kid and I introduced myself, said while we're out there, "Oh yeah, this is, you know, Jamal Mitchell's kid." I'm like, "Oh, that's so cool. Did you know that we're out here with motorcycles?" And I brought him over and I showed him the flag that had his dad's name on it. Throughout the week, members of the public also showed their support. Whether you're in uniform before an event and you're at an establishment, somebody's always thanking you for your service. from the state of Minnesota. Paul H. Elmstrand, Matthew H. Rugie, Jamal J. Mitchell. All right, you guys ready? Camaraderie, connecting and honoring the fallen. A chance for motans to pay tribute. But I think it's important that we have um we have a footprint out there and continue to go out there and show support for our fellow officers. For Adina TV, I'm Kenneth Gaml. May 15th was first designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The first memorial service in Washington DC was held in 1982 and it has grown into the current series of annual events now known as National Police Week.