Each year during the month of May, citizens across the country are encouraged to take the lead and show their support for our law enforcement officers as part of National Police Week.
National Police Week is a collaborative effort supported by many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week also offers special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
Every member of our law enforcement community has chosen a profession that exists to protect and serve our families, our homes, our businesses, and our communities, putting their lives on the line every day in the interest of public service. They’ve answered a call that is demanding, sometimes misunderstood, and often unappreciated. Whether at the local, state, or federal level their duties demand dedication and deserve our respect. Every day can present a new challenge, and rarely do they know what their days may have in store for them in their ongoing efforts to keep our communities safe.
During National Police Week, we have an opportunity to thank our law enforcement partners for their service and offer our respect and gratitude. Some simple ways that you can show your support today might include wearing blue clothing, sending a note to your local police department or state agency, sharing a story about a positive experience that you’ve had with a law enforcement officer on social media, or simply thanking officers that you see on the street.
National Police Week will feature live, in-person events. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund will hold ceremonies, including the 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil, which will be held today, May 13th to honor the fallen officers whose names have recently been added to the memorial.
Please join us this week in thanking our friends and partners across the law enforcement community for their service, their partnership, and their ongoing support. What they do makes a difference, and we should make sure that they know we know it.