Nation Honors, Remembers Law Enforcement on National Police Week
Ceremonies and remembrances are held across the nation to mark National Police Week, the annual week to honor law enforcement officers and remember those who have died in the line of duty.
In a proclamation recognizing Police Week and May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, President Biden said, “Being a police officer is more than what they do — it is who they are. On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we recognize the incredible courage of our Nation’s police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay.”
The President used the occasion to call for more action on funding for officers and for building trust between communities and law enforcement, noting that his fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget requests over $10 billion to recruit, train, support and hire 100,000 additional police officers.
Federal Leaders Honor Law Enforcement
The heads of various federal law enforcement agencies released their own statements marking the occasion.
"We owe our law enforcement officers across the country a debt of gratitude we can never repay," said FBI Director Christopher Wray in a video message. "But what we can do this Police Week is celebrate their courage, thank them for their service, and honor those we have lost far too soon."
The FBI is adding eight names to its Wall of Honor during a ceremony this week.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) honored officers throughout its various law enforcement agencies, which include Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) among others.
“This commemoration recognizes heroes – it recognizes a heroic and noble profession – and it gives us a moment of pause to salute a nation to which we are all dedicated and unites us as one,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at a DHS ceremony.
Crowds Head to DC
Police Week regularly draws 25,000 to 40,000 visitors to the nation’s capital. Events include a 5k fundraising run, a Police Unity Tour bike ride, a candlelight vigil on the National Mall, a K9 memorial service, among other activities.
This year, the names of 282 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The wall contains the names of more than 24,000 fallen law enforcement personnel.