NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

 

This year Police Week starts on Sunday, May 10, and ends on Saturday, May 16. National Police Day is on May 15th each year. You can honor law enforcement personnel by displaying blue ribbons, wearing blue line clothing, or saying thanks to police officers you know.   

 

Usually, fallen police officers' names are called out during a special candlelight vigil in Washington DC. This year most activities have been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That's too bad because this year is the second-lowest number of police deaths since 1959. Here are some stats:

 

     -2019 - Second lowest year since 1959 with 128 in the line of duty deaths.

     -2013 - the lowest year since 1959 with 127 line of duty deaths.

     -Highest Year - 1974 with 285 deaths.

 

This year's National Memorial Service has been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Here is the official statement:

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THE 2020 NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS’ MEMORIAL SERVICE

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From National FOP President Pat Yoes: It is with great regret that, for the first time in the event’s history, the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary will be unable to host the 39 the Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Washington, D.C. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was a difficult one, but we believe it is the right one. 

 

We are consulting with the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) and other stakeholder groups to develop a fitting tribute to honor the families of the fallen for the 2019 calendar year and will determine the best path forward after this crisis subsides. The National FOP and the Memorial Committee will undertake an effort to have a meaningful and respectful media tribute to our fallen heroes on May 15th, National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. 

 

I am saddened that we cannot come together this year to grieve with our survivor families and draw strength from one another on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, but given the national crisis we must put, as we always have, the safety of the public first. When our nation recovers from this pandemic, we are committed to working with the various stakeholders to determine how to best provide families and colleagues who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty the opportunity to honor the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes in the way we have done over the last 39 years.