The Scott County Law Enforcement Memorial Scholarship Committee, which honors local peace officers who died during their careers, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Approximately 130 scholarships have been awarded to date, totaling more than $123,500. More than 60 percent of scholarship recipients currently work in law enforcement, and more than 60 of them are in uniform in Scott County communities.

While an annual banquet is a major fund-raising event for the scholarship program, the committee also accepts gifts year-round. There is no set number of scholarships given out. Each year, the scholarship committee reviews applications and considers the amount of funds available.

This year’s award banquet will be during National Police Week on May 15 at the Shakopee American Legion in Shakopee. The social hour starts at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The speaker for the evening is Steve Johnson, one of the original committee members.

The scholarship program was started in 1983 to memorialize law enforcement officers by assisting local residents pursuing careers in law enforcement. At that time, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office was grieving the loss of one of their investigators, Detective George Lill.

In 1974, the Sheriff’s Office lost Deputy Laverne Realander and the Shakopee Police Department lost Officer Terry McGovern. The most recent addition to the memoriam was Scott County Deputy and Prior Lake firefighter Jon Niemann, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2003 at age 37.

The scholarship program had its first banquet May 1984, in conjunction with National Police Week.

Then, as now, the committee consists of various members from the Scott County community, including business owners, members of law enforcement and relatives of the deceased.

The scholarship is open to people who live or are employed in Scott County and pursuing careers in law enforcement.

For tickets to this year’s banquet, or for more information or to donate, call Duane Jirik at (952) 496-8725.