“Whereas the police officers of America have worked devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of this Nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves…” reads Joint Resolution 76, which authorized President Kennedy to designate May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
In 1962, National Police Week was established to commemorate the valor and sacrifice of law enforcement. In 1991, the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC was officially declared. Since then, more than 23,000 names have been carved on the 300-foot wall. Each name represents a police officer who died in the time of duty. In 1994, President Bill Clinton directed the United States flag be flown at half-staff on May 15th in honor of their sacrifice.
National Police Week has always been a solemn occasion, but it is also one to celebrate the lives of those who have served and the future of policing.