Since 1984, the first full week of May has been recognized as National Correctional Officers Week, an important opportunity to acknowledge the courage and heroism it takes to live life as a Correctional Officer. The Gary Job Corps Corrections Cadets and Instructors memorialized the Texas Corrections Officers that lost their lives from 2024 to present with an End of Watch ceremony. President Ronald Reagan stated, “the important work of Correctional Officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves.” He also added that the job continues to grow more complicated and demanding.
Captain Heather Escalante shared with the assembled that they were gathered to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
“Our fallen officers stood as guardians between order and chaos, between safety and fear,” Escalante said. “They walked the dimly lit corridors that few dare to tread, carrying the weight of public safety on their shoulders with quiet dignity. The badge they wore was not merely a symbol of authority, but a covenant — a promise to protect those who could not protect themselves, to stand watch over society’s most troubled souls. And believe in the possibility of redemption even in the darkest places.”
Pictured are Corrections Cadets; Instructors Major Troy Olbury, Captain Heather Escalante and Captain Toney Johnson. Photo courtesy of Gary Job Corps
