SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is encouraging all Illinoisans to participate in National Thank a Police Officer Day on Saturday, September 19.

"A simple smile and a 'thank you' are all it takes to let police officers know their dangerous and demanding jobs are appreciated," said Illinois FOP President Chris Southwood. "We are humbly grateful for the thoughts, prayers, and encouragement you continue to give us as we protect and serve you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We care about our communities, and it warms our hearts to see that care returned."

The recent targeted attacks on law enforcement officers have focused attention on how dangerous the profession can be. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, law enforcement careers are consistently ranked among the ten most dangerous occupations in America, and they carry the second-highest injury rate of any line of work. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports that during the last decade an average of 58,930 assaults were made on law enforcement officers each year resulting in an average of 15,404 injuries. An average of 149 officers are killed in the line of duty each year across the country.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are 31,230 law enforcement officers in Illinois, which ranks the state fifth behind California, Texas, New York and Florida. Nationwide there are more than 638,000 law enforcement officers. The Chicago Police Department is the nation's second largest municipal police force, with the New York City Police Department coming in first, and the Cook County Sheriff is America's second largest sheriff's office behind only the Los Angeles County Sheriff.

Newly designed FOP t-shirts, hoodies and decals featuring messages of support for police officers will be available for purchase starting September 17 at www.ilfop.org.

The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing officers, the FOP is the most respected and most recognized police organization in the country. The Illinois FOP, chartered in 1963, is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 32,000 active duty and retired police officers - more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide. Visit www.ilfop.org for more information.

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