Archbishop Thomas Wenski, South Florida Police Officers Gather for 10th St. Michael's Day Service

St. Michael is the patron saint of police officers

Hundreds gathered at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Friday as Archbishop Thomas Wenski took to the altar for the 10th annual St. Michael’s Day service honoring law enforcement officers.

“In celebrating this holy Mass, we express our gratitude for your commitment to the common good. We thank God for you and we thank you for your sacrifice,” Wenski said.

For a decade, the Dade County Police Benevolent Association and St. Patrick’s Church have worked together to host the feast day of Saint Michael. He is the patron saint of police officers.

“It’s all about fellowship, it was all about bringing people together no matter what rank or what uniform they wore, what city they work for,” said John Rivera, the police union’s president.

Special recognition was given to Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Schaub. He died Wednesday following an accident in Pompano Beach.

Schaub, 47, was honored with a special flag, the U.S. honor flag, which was at ground zero and is now sent to mark in-the-line-of-duty deaths of police officers, firefighters and U.S. servicemen, Capt. Mark Causey said.

Just before his official retirement, Miami-Dade Police Director James Loftus said he was thankful for the job he had, the people he worked with and all those he served. He was also happy to see people celebrating the lives of those who have given so much to their communities.

“It’s great to gather and really talk about the icons of our profession,” Loftus said.

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