The Niagara Falls Police Honor Guard serves in times of need and has a long tradition of deep values and as their name suggests, the highest honor.

The Niagara Falls Police Law Enforcement Foundation Fundraiser will be held at the new LaSalle Waterfront Park, 6611 Buffalo Ave., on Saturday, June, 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it promises to be a fun-filled day aimed at promoting stronger ties between police and the citizens they serve.

The Niagara Falls Police Department and the Niagara Falls Block Clubs will host the event which will feature live entertainment, music, a K-9 demonstration, and a tug-of-war contest between the muscular men of the Niagara Falls Police force and the Niagara Falls Fire Department among the many attractions of the day.

A special feature, and one sure to be entertaining, will be a donut eating contest to find out who has the strongest sweet tooth and, perhaps, the biggest appetite for donuts, popular fare for the men and women in blue, according to published reports.

There are also expected to be a rock-climbing wall, a display of military vehicles, a helicopter display courtesy of the Niagara County Sheriff's Department and the Border Patrol, pony rides and a bomb squad display by the State Police.
Admission is free.

The day will include food and beverages that can be purchased along with a basket auction with proceeds benefiting the Law Enforcement Foundation's work in hosting seminars and programs, offering scholarships to worthy candidates, and buying crime prevention equipment.

Some proceeds will help support of the Niagara Falls Police Honor Guard which is called to ceremonial duty in the case of a fallen law enforcement officer.

Niagara Falls Police Department Officer John Petrishin, who helped organize the event, is a member of the honor guard. He said that among the duties the Honor Guard performs is the flag folding presentation to the widow of a fallen officer.

"Knock on wood. We haven't had a line of duty death in the 14 years I have been on the honor guard," Officer Petrishin said. "This is an important event geared to supporting the Law Enforcement Foundation in carrying out its important outreach programs not covered by public funds.

"It offers a unique and entertaining opportunity for police and citizens to interact and get to know one another - for a worthy cause."

Mark it down on your calendar of events, Saturday, June 16, and the new LaSalle Waterfront Park at 6611 Buffalo Avenue. The picnic starts at 11 AM, the day following the Wallenda walk.