WATCH: Police Week Kicks Off with the Annual Flag Raising Ceremony

SAN ANGELO, TX – Police Week 2021 kicked off in San Angelo with the annual Flag Raising ceremony Monday morning. 

This year's special guest speaker was Texas DPS Regional Director Orlando Alanis. Alanis has been with the Texas Department of Public Safety with 1996. He now runs a large part of DPS operations in West Texas.

"As you already know the law enforcement profession is a relentless, exhausting job," said Alanis during his speech. "but on behalf of the state of Texas, and all citizens, I want to make sure that it is not a faithless job. Sometimes it may seem that messages of appreciation are drowned out by public criticism, or opinion and scrutiny of the mainstream media, but I can assure you all that appreciation remains for those who serve. The overwhelming majority of Texans respect and honor our law enforcement professionals." 

During his speech, Alanis spoke about the DPS trooper that was killed in Mexia earlier this year. He also noted that 19 officers have died in the line of duty this year already.

The ceremony concluded with a flag raising and a 21 gun salute.

The Flag Raising Ceremony was held at the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office at 10 a.m.