Friday May 15, 2009
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Remembered, Honored
From May 10-16, 2009—National Police Week—communities across the United States come together to remember and honor all law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.
May 15 is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day, with federal law (P.L. 103-322) directing that all flags be flown at half-staff on that date in honor of fallen officers and their families.
This year, the names of 387 fallen officers are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 387 officers include 133 officers who died in the line of duty during 2008, plus another 254 officers who died in previous years but had been lost to history until now.
The names of all 387 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2009. The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2009. The national observance is organized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), Concerns of Police Survivors, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary.
“There are some 900,000 active law enforcement officers in the United States today—men and women who are willing to put their own lives at great risk for the safety and protection of others,” said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the NLEOMF. “National Police Week is a time for all Americans to pause and reflect on the incredible sacrifices these heroes make for us every day and every week of the year. We could not be the free and mostly safe and peaceful nation that we are without their dedication and service,” he added.
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