More than 100 people attended a rally Friday afternoon at the Butler County courthouse to commemorate National Law Enforcement Day.

County Sheriff Mike Slupe and Rich Wilson, a retired Zelienople police officer who was the founder of the county Fraternal Order of Police and its first president, organized the event.

Wilson spoke about the risk police officers may face on any call.

“It’s a calling,” he said.

According to the FOP, 105 to 203 officers die in the line of duty, 50,000 officers are assaulted and 14,000 officers are injured each year.

County Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, presented a proclamation honoring police.

“If we didn’t have police officers, what would we have? We would have chaos,” McCarrier said. “They do a wonderful job.”

Marci Mustello, an aide to U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd., who is in Washington, D.C., also extolled the dedication of law enforcement.

“Being a police officer is no easy task,” Mustello said.

After state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, and state Rep. James Marshall, R-14th, also presented a proclamation, state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, spoke about the importance of the role of police.

“They have to make split-second decisions that could change lives,” Hutchinson said.

State Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, said law enforcement is the most noble profession.

“They put their lives on the line for strangers,” he said. “What they do is worth celebrating every single day.”

Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson also presented a proclamation.

“Law enforcement officers are the guardians of our way of life, and they deserve our support,” Donaldson said.

County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said he has a unique perspective of law enforcement from working with officers.

“My office is the first to say we couldn’t do it without you,” Goldinger said. “Police officers in this country have come under fire recently. They’re basically under attack, and that needs to stop.”

Slupe said it was an honor to see officials and the large crowd supporting law enforcement.

“It’s very heartwarming,” he said. “To see this many people take time out of their busy days to appreciate law enforcement officers. Hopefully I can speak on behalf of the residents of the county in saying this means a lot to them.”

The nationwide event is co-sponsored by the National Fraternal Order of Police, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) and other law enforcement associations.

The groups set the day of appreciation in response to recent negative publicity directed at law enforcement in connection with fatal shootings across the country.

The FOP and C.O.P.S. encourages people to show their appreciation to police in any of these ways:

• Change your profile picture on social media to reflect support of police

• Thank a police officer in person

• Wear blue clothing

• Send a card of support to your police department or state agency

• Share a positive story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media

• Ask children to write letters in support of law enforcement

• Participate in Project Blue Light by displaying a blue light

• Organize an event or a rally in support of law enforcement officers

• Promote your support through media outlets or billboards

• Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your law enforcement’s webpage or social media pages.

There are 23 law enforcement agencies with more than 300 active law enforcement officers as well as a number of retired officers, including the sheriff’s office and the state police Troop D in the county.