National Police Week is being observed from Sunday, May 11, through Saturday, May 17. This annual event honors federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. The week centers around Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement personnel.
Throughout the week, communities across the country pay tribute to fallen officers. In Huron County, Michigan, for example, deputies are wearing black ribbons on their badges to honor the 25 officers who have died nationwide so far this year. The county also remembers its own two fallen deputies: Sheriff Joseph J. Murray, who drowned in 1932 while investigating illegal fishing, and Deputy Kelly J. Vermeersch, who died in 2000 after losing control of his patrol car during severe weather.
Nationally, thousands of officers, families, and supporters gather in Washington, D.C., for events such as the Candlelight Vigil, Wreath Laying Ceremony, and the National Police Survivors Conference. These solemn observances take place near the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which bears the names of over 21,000 officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
National Police Week serves as a reminder of the dedication and bravery of law enforcement officers and offers communities an opportunity to express their gratitude for those who protect and serve.
