Celebrate Northern Illinois Police Memorial Week

The 36th Annual Northern Illinois Police Memorial Week is going on and the Rockford Police Department will be participating in some public activities.

Thursday, May 12 there will be an Ecumenical Police Memorial Remembrance Ceremony at the Old Stone Church, 101 E. Union St in Rockton. This ceremony is in remembrance of officers who passed while in the line of duty. Surviving family members will be present at the ceremony that begins at 7 p.m.

Friday, May 13 through Sunday, May 15 there will be an interactive event at CherryVale Mall in Rockford. Attractions include a memorial wall, squad car displays, K-9 and bomb robot demonstrations, child fingerprinting, face painting, and a Birds of Prey demonstration. The event runs from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Additionally, the public is encouraged to donate blood during the month of May as part of the "Clash of the Heroes: Police vs Fire blood donation competition. Donations will be taken at two Rock River Valley Blood Center locations, 419 N.6th Street and 3065 N. Perryville Road.