May 15 is National National Peace Officer Memorial Day - Flags at Half-Mast

If you see flags at half-mast on the 15th, and wonder who has died, it is not just one person. 145 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2006. May 15th is National Peace Officer Memorial Day. It was signed into law as a national holiday by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. President Bill Clinton first directed that the flag of the United States on all Government buildings be displayed at half-staff on May 15, National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. This observance has continued. In his statement, president George W Bush states "As we observe Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, I encourage all Americans to learn more about ways to fight crime in their communities and to honor the brave individuals who protect our lives and property."

"Lowering flags on Peace Officers Memorial Day is an appropriate way to show our respect for those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and to remember the family, friends and colleagues they left behind," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "It also is an important reminder of the continued service and sacrifice of the 800,000 law enforcement officers who protect our communities and safeguard our democracy day in and day out."

Washington DC will have activities all week for National Police Week, including a candlelight vigil and seminars. Family survivors were invited to attend the candlelight vigil held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The name of each fallen officer has a place of honor on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. This monument ensures that the valor of the more than 15,000 law enforcement officers lost since 1794 will never be forgotten. Many states have or will have local observances, in addition to the events in Washington, D.C.

While police agencies may have celebrated National Police Week on the local level years ago, today there is a new heightened awareness of National Police Week. Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. distributes a half million blue ribbons for law enforcement agencies to tie to their car antennas to call national attention to this day; the U.S. Congress has passed legislation that allows the U.S. flag to be flown at half staff on May 15; numerous police organizations hold memorial services locally, regionally, and on a statewide level during that week; police departments may have open houses, SWAT team demonstrations, etc. to promote National Police Week.

National Police Week is one week during the year when law enforcement honors their fallen officers and makes the citizens of America aware that every 57 hours another law enforcement officer gives up his or her life for perfect strangers. National Police Week activities continue to grow nationwide.

SOURCE: White House, Office of the Press Secretary