May 12, 2020
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.
Traditionally, thousands gather each year to the Nation’s capital to honor our nation’s fallen heroes and attend vigils, the annual Memorial Service and visit important sites such as the National Law Enforcement Museum. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, public gatherings and services have been cancelled this year, but that will not put a damper on this year’s spirit.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is a great site that we encourage everyone to visit for a breakdown of this year’s events, including the Annual Candlelight Vigil. This year’s vigil will of course be a virtual candlelight vigil, and the reading of the names of fallen heroes can be watched from anywhere around the world. More information on the 32nd Annual Candlelight Vigil can be found at their website. The full schedule for the entire week can also be found at policeweek.org/schedule.
In addition to the NLEOMF, we encourage you to visit the websites of the additional principal organizers of National Police Week.
Fraternal Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary (FOP/FOPA), which organize the Peace Officers Memorial Day Service at the U.S. Capitol.
www.policeweek.org
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), which holds the National Police Survivors’ Conference.
Phone: (573) 346-4911 | cops@nationalcops.org
We cannot thank our nation’s law enforcement officers enough, and we hope everyone will take time during this special week to visit each of these sites and take part in an event. To our nation’s law enforcement officers, we thank you, and to our fallen heroes, we honor you – this week and every week.