Law enforcement officers cannot function properly unless they have the support of all citizens, James McGovern executive secretary of the Atlanta Crime Commission, said Sunday in a Law Day sermon at St. Anthony’s.

McGovern and members of the parish who are policemen took part in the observance. Father R. Donald Kiernan, associate chaplain of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, said the Mass.

McGovern, a Catholic layman and former FBI agent, said, “Our complex society has thousand of laws governing our conduct. The agencies who enforce the law cannot do it without your support.”

“With a rising crime rate, we often let our law enforcement agencies be unfairly attacked. Law officers have broad responsibilities and must have knowledge of the law as it relates to persons and a knowledge of human relations. They are worthy of your respect and support.” The speaker said there is no need to remind officers of their responsibility to the law. “They do their jobs through dedicated service. Citizens, however, cannot rid themselves of responsibility toward the law. They must report law violations, cooperate with agencies by information, serve as witnesses and serve on juries.” He said that Christ said the one great law was love God and neighbor. “We cannot violate the law and love God. We cannot love God by violating a person or the property of another.”

McGovern asked, “Do we only obey laws that we recognize? We are obliged to respect all laws on the books and if we become selective we face anarchy. Laws should be changed through recognized methods.” Lector at the Law Day Mass was Capt. John C. McEntire while Detective and Mrs. John Paul Fitzgerald presented the gifts. Ushers were Capt. Howard Baugh, Lt. Buddy Whalen, Detective Frank Paschal and John C. Boylce, administrative assistant to the solicitor general of Fulton County.