Rehoboth officials recognize city’s police officers

In advance of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Jan. 9, Rehoboth Beach officials presented members of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department with a proclamation expressing their appreciation for the hard work of the officers.

Mayor Stan Mills, Commissioner Patrick Gossett, in his role as council vice president, and City Manager Taylour Tedder presented half a dozen officers with the proclamation during a meeting Jan. 5.

“Every day is appreciation day for what you do for the community and for all of us,” Gossett told the officers in attendance before reading the proclamation aloud.

“Law enforcement officers of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated,” read Gossett. “Everyday law enforcement officers throughout the nation face the threat of violence and danger, routinely putting their lives in jeopardy to defend others, putting themselves at risk of injury, disability or even death.”

The city’s recognition also happened on the same day as the funeral of Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Dec. 23 at the state Division of Motor Vehicles office in New Castle.

Mills had prepared a statement recognizing Snook’s sacrifice.

“This message and this proclamation is especially poignant today, as Cpl. Matthew Snook of the Delaware State Police is being buried today …” said Mills, who choked up midway through and handed off his statement to Tedder to finish.

At the conclusion of the statement, there was a moment of silence honoring Snook.