The V.I. Police Department will celebrate National Police Week beginning Friday with a schedule that features memorial ceremonies, church services, a motorcycle ride out, sports days and open houses.

Nationally, this year’s Police Week activities hit a high point on May 15 in Washington, D.C., when the name of V.I. Police Officer Leopold Fredericks will be enshrined on the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall.

Fredericks was on motorcycle patrol when lost his life in 1963 during a vehicle pursuit of a traffic violator on St. Croix’s Centerline Road.

Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard said Police Week is a time to reflect on the sacrifices our officers have made and continue to make for our community.

"Law enforcement is a vital part of this community and we invite the community to participate in the activities the committees have planned on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix," Querrard said. "I take this time to salute our very own law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives while protecting this community, and I honor all our officers who put their lives on the line daily to keep this community safe.”

Police Week Schedule in the St. Thomas-St. John District

– Friday: Law Enforcement Talent Show: 7 p.m. at Pilgrims Terrace
– Saturday: Law Ride Out from 7 to 10 p.m. at Emancipation Garden
– Sunday: Holy Family Church Service, 10 a.m. at Estate Tutu; and a Mother’s Day Dedication Awards Ceremony, noon to 4 p.m. at School Security Headquarters
Monday: Police Station Open House, noon to 3 p.m. at Richard N. Callwood Command, Alexander E. Farrelly Justice Center; Bassanio David Callwood, Lindberg Bay; Mariel Newton Command, Estate Tutu; and Leander Jurgen Command, Cruz Bay.
May 13: Career Day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UVI’s Reichhold grounds
May 14: Fun Day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Julius E. Sprauve field
May 15: Graveside Visitation, 8 a.m. at Western, Sibily and Smith Bay Cemetery; a Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony March, beginning at 3 p.m., from the Griffith ballpark to Richard Callwood Command; Peace Officer Memorial Vigil, 5:30 p.m. at the Alexander E. Farrelly Justice Center.
May 17: Firearm’s Tournament, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bovoni Shooting Range; Sports Fun Day, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Smith Bay ballpark.

Police Week Schedule, St. Croix

Friday: Men and Women Softball Games, 7 p.m. Grove Place
Saturday: Law Ride Out, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Patrick Sweeney Grounds
Monday: Award Ceremony, 10 a.m. at Violet Damidaux Pavilion; Ann Schrader Command Open House, noon to 2 p.m.; Movie on the Lawn, 7 p.m. at Patrick Sweeney (bring blankets and relax with family to watch a family movie).
May 13: Anselmo Marshall Command Open House, noon to 2 p.m.; Basketball, 7 p.m. at Patrick Sweeney Police Headquarters.
May 14: Wilbur Francis Command Open House, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Men Softball Tournament, 7 p.m. at Pedro Cruz Ballpark, Estate Profit.
May 15: Graveside visitation. Motorcade begins at 8 a.m. at Patrick Sweeney, to Christiansted, Kingshill and Frederiksted Cemeteries; Peace Officer Memorial, Ceremony 10 a.m. Violet Damidaux Pavilion; Vigil for All Officers, 5:30 p.m. at the Ann Abramson Pier in Frederiksted.
May 16: Special Operations Bureau/Marine Unit Open House, 2 to 4 p.m.
May 17: VIPD Triathlon, 6 a.m., planned for an East End location to be announced.