POLICE WEEK: McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer shared some words to the community in honor of National Police Week, happening now.

“The week of May 10, 2020-May 16, 2020 is set aside to remember members of law enforcement who have been killed in the line of duty and to support law enforcement who risk their lives for our safety,” she writes.

“Heroes run toward danger while the rest of us run away. And that is how we recognize them.

“Every time officers put on their uniform and leave their families, they know that any call could turn deadly. Patrolman Steve Jerman and Sergeant David Distrola are the symbol of heroic sacrifice — both having lost their lives in the line of duty.

“We remember them and honor them every day of the year. Their communities are proud of them. We all take pride when we heard their names and see the legacies they left behind.

“Every active member of law enforcement responds to every call knowing that it could be their last. And we take pride in them.

“In McKean County, we are honored to be protected by Bradford Township Police, Bradford City Police, Foster Township Police, Kane Borough Police, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Police, Otto-Eldred Regional Police, Smethport Borough Police, Port Allegany Police, Sheriff’s Department, Game Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, McKean County Detectives’ Bureau and McKean County Drug Task Force.

“On behalf of the McKean County District Attorney’s Office, I remember Patrolman Jerman and Sergeant Distrola and thank our law enforcement and their families for sacrificing themselves for us.”

For those who don’t remember, Jerman was a Kane Borough police officer who was gunned down during a traffic stop in 1999. Distrola was a Bradford City police officer who was killed at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in 1989.