Douglas County commissioners proclaim Peace Officers Memorial, Mental Health Awareness and Corrections Week

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved three proclamations recognizing Peace Officers Memorial Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Corrections Week.

Commissioner Friend presented a resolution noting that Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed May 15 and asking residents to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies. "Whereas the men and women of law enforcement in Douglas County...serve with courage, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to protecting life," the resolution says. The board approved the proclamation by voice vote, 6–0.

Commissioner Borgeson introduced a resolution declaring May 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month in Douglas County, citing the county’s behavioral health services and statistics included in the resolution. The proclamation notes that the Douglas County Mental Health Center provides inpatient, outpatient and partial-day programs and recognized county responsibilities related to local jails and behavioral health needs. The board passed that resolution 6–0.

Michael Myers, director of the Douglas County Department of Corrections, read the corrections-week resolution and thanked the board for support of staffing and facility improvements. "Very few jail systems in the country are fully staffed or anywhere close to being fully staffed," Myers said, adding that recent infrastructure improvements have made facilities safer and helped the department maintain staffing. The board approved the corrections-week proclamation 6–0.

All three proclamations passed unanimously; commissioners said the recognitions were timed to coincide with Corrections Week and broader community observances.