GEDDES, N.Y. (WSYR) — Law enforcement, politicians and many fairgoers came together for Law Enforcement Day, an occasion to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, at the Great New York State Fair on Monday, Aug. 31.
Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley said the ceremony is of the utmost importance every year.
“Every year we’re losing law enforcement members,” Shelley said. “In 2024, for example, the math worked out to a law enforcement officer lost her life every other day for the year.”
The annual ceremony always has significance, but even more so this year because of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“It’s important to educate people who weren’t around when this happened,” Syracuse Police Chief Mark Rusin said. “Maybe they’re 30 years old now, and they were just five years old when it happened. It’s really important to tell those stories and tell the stories, specifically, of the men and women who were directly impacted.”
Before he wore the sheriff’s hat, Shelley was in military uniform on that fateful day. Now he is using his 30 years of military experience to protect the lives of Central New York residents.
“We haven’t had a war in America since the Civil War,” Shelley said. “All our other wars have been foreign wars. So, bringing that war home to our doorstep definitely changed things and the way we view keeping our people safe in America.”
There is a Twin Towers monument that has a piece of steel with an eternal flame displayed that is located directly in front of the Horticulture Building on the fairgrounds for those who want to mourn or pay respects to those who lost their lives in the attacks.
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