Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas praised officers who risk their lives to protect and serve the community in a statement released on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

The day of reverence, observed on Jan. 9, is a time to express “gratitude, respect, and admiration” for those in law enforcement, Mayorkas said in a message on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. 

“All who wear the badge — who give so much of yourselves to keep our communities safe — thank you,” Mayorkas said. “You bring honor to our Department and to our country.”

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created in 2015 when a group of organizations wanted to thank officers across the country for the sacrifices they make, according to nationaldaycalendar.com. Since its inaugural celebration, many organizations nationwide have begun supporting the day. 

“From local, state, and federal, their duties command dedication,” nationaldaycalendar.com said. “The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them.”

DHS has the largest number of law enforcement officers in the federal government, Mayorkas said in his statement. He thanked his colleagues and the families of law enforcement members.

“No one serves alone,” Mayorkas said.

People who want to show support for law enforcement agencies during the day are encouraged to send a note to their offices, wear blue, shine a blue porchlight at the front of their home and post on social media using hashtag #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay, ABC 50 Now reported.

Organizations supporting the day of reverence include Concerns of Police Survivors; FBI National Academy Associates; Fraternal Order of Police; International Association of Chief of Police; Officer Down Memorial Page; Law Enforcement United; National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund; International Conference of Police Chaplains and National Troopers Coalition, a report by ABC 50 Now said.