PORTLAND, Maine: In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10, through Saturday, May 16, 2020.
“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer," said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity - such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted."
“We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the men and women of law enforcement," U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Law enforcement officers are in the community protecting all of us, day or night, even in the midst of this global pandemic. Here in Maine, we had many examples of heroic and selfless acts by police officers in 2019, including Waterville officer Timothy Hinton, who despite being shot in both arms by an assailant during a traffic stop last December, continued to pursue the shooter. And we will never forget Detective Benjamin Campbell of the Maine State Police, who died tragically in April of last year while assisting a motorist. The employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office are honored to work with our federal, state, local and tribal partners."
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.
Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including Detective Campbell, who died on April 3, 2019, while assisting a stopped motorist on Interstate 95.
Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.
The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 p.m. (EDT). The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
