S.A.L.T. hosts annual law enforcement memorial ceremony

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Thursday evening’s law enforcement ceremony at Cape Bible Chapel paid respects to the 53 officers in 13 counties in southeast Missouri who have lost their lives in the line of duty. 

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Ruth Ann Dickerson, who has participated in a number of these ceremonies, said the emotions come back every year. 

“You would think after a while, when they read the names, that you would not feel that emotion, but you do every year,” she said.

Dickerson said ceremonies like this one remind those in law enforcement of the importance of their jobs. 

“It is for all of us to know that what we’re out here doing does make a difference, especially for their families,” she said.

The ceremony is the largest program put on by Seniors and Lawmen Together, or S.A.L.T, and member Doug Austin said the law enforcement in southeast Missouri make S.A.L.T.’s mission of improving the relationships between senior citizens and law enforcement that much easier. 

“You couldn’t ask for better dedicated, professional people than what we have in southeast Missouri,” he said. “They’re just phenomenally beyond belief with their concern for the senior citizens.” 

Austin said, more than anything else, S.A.L.T. wants senior citizens to understand that law enforcement is there for them. 

“They’re not the enemy, they’re not somebody to go against, they’re not somebody to go around. They’re somebody to go to. Law enforcement are your friends.”