Again this year, communities across the United States will come together during National Police Week-May 10-16-to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends, and fellow officers they left behind.
This year, the names of 273 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 273 officers include 117 officers who were killed during 2014, plus 156 officers who died in previous years but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.
The fallen officers include Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Wells. DUSM Wells was shot and killed while in Baton Rouge attempting to arrest a fugitive for a double homicide. Just last week, police officers Liquori Tate and Benjamin Deen were killed in the line of duty in nearby Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
All fallen law enforcement officers will be remembered during the following local Police Week services:
* Louisiana State Police Headquarters in Baton Rouge on Thursday, May 14, at 6:00 p.m.;
* Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, APSP Training Center on St. Landry Road, on Friday, May 15, at 10:00 a.m.
* Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Behind Baton Rouge City Hall near Statutes, on Friday, May 15, at 10:00 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Walt Green stated: “This week is a sober reminder of the very real dangers that our brave men and women in law enforcement face every single day. Their dedication to protecting our communities and families despite such dangers is inspiring and humbling. We must never forget their sacrifices and those of their families. I encourage all of us to show our appreciation to those who protect and serve during the events of this week and beyond."
The names of all 273 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 27th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2015. So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be webcast live over the Internet beginning at 8 pm (EDT) on May 13th. To register for this free online event, visit www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.
The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2015. The national observance is organized by a group of organizations led 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.
On May 15th each year, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary host a ceremony on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol to honor fallen law enforcement officers and their families.
In tribute to American law enforcement officers and at the request of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Public Law 103-322 designates May 15th National Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is one of only two days each year during which government agencies, businesses and residents are to fly their U.S. flags at half-staff.
For more information about National Police Week, please visit www.LawMemorial.org/policeweek.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
