Community members are invited to attend the 20th annual Police Appreciation Ceremony at 3 p.m., which will be held outside of the Evanston Police Department, 1454 Elmwood Avenue.

This 15-minute event will include an outdoor roll call, a moment of silence to honor the men and women who lost their lives while on duty, and words and reflections from speakers honoring the hard work and dedication of the Evanston Police Department. After the ceremony, community members can meet with the officers to ask questions, share their gratitude, or simply say hello.

The Police Appreciation Ceremony first began in May 1997 at the Merrick Rose Garden located on the corner of Lake Street and Oak Avenue. After several years, the ceremony was relocated to the police station and an appreciation meal was added to provide officers on all three shifts with food before or after their day on the job.

Those observing this year’s ceremony are encouraged to park on Lake or Grove Streets, as Elmwood Avenue will be blocked off to all vehicular traffic to accommodate the ceremony. The event will take place rain or shine.