As many of you know this week marks the 28th anniversary of National Police Week in Washington D.C. as well as the 22nd Annual Candlelight Vigil. Do you know the history of Police Week? We thought in honor of those who have gone before us we would take a moment and give you a little history for this week that is now known worldwide.
In October of 1962 President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 proclaiming May 15th of each year as a day to honor all of law enforcement and remember those who have died in service to their country (National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day). In 1994 President William Clinton would amend that law to direct all flags on the US Capital and all federal government buildings be flown at half-staff to remember fallen law enforcement officers.
Little did anyone know that it would actually take 20 years for any organization to actually celebrate or commemorate National Police Week. It wasn’t until August, 1981 that newly-elected National Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Auxiliary, Suzie Sawyer, would make a motion at the FOP Auxiliary National Post-Conference Meeting to sponsor a National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service. The organization would vote in favor of organizing and sponsoring what we now know as National Police Officers’ Week.
The first National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service was held in Washington DC on May 15, 1982 on Capitol Hill in the small, beautiful Senate Park. Though only 125 people attended, the FOP saw a lot of promise for future events. It was then that FOP National President Leo Marchetti would vow the FOP’s support in increasing attendance for the activity.
On the eve of the second National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service on May 14, 1983, much to the surprise of Police Officers and Auxiliary members who planned to attend, ten young widows came to Washington DC to attend that Memorial Day Service. As you can probably imagine once the survivors met and started sharing stories with them the Police Officers’ emotions started to flow.
After the survivors met a few times with each other they realized a need for a national, peer-supported organization. Concerns of Police Survivors Inc. was then born in 1984.
Later in 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the legislation that allowed the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) to begin raising money for an appropriate monument in Washington DC to honor the fallen law enforcement officers of America. That effort would be spearheaded by Congressman Mario Biaggi, a Democrat from New York who also happened to be the most highly-decorated Police Officer in the history of the New York Police Department.
In 1989, the first annual Candlelight Vigil was held at the site of the soon-to-be constructed National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square located in Washington DC. In October, 1991, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated by President George Bush. Today that memorial carries the names of over 16,600 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty which now includes 116 from the past year, 2009.
Did you know; Concerns of Police Survivors each year distributes a half million ribbons for law enforcement agencies to tie to their car antennas to call national attention to this day; the US 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 what is know now across the globe as National Police Week?
Facts and Figures:
There are approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in our nation. On average, 150-165 officers are killed in the line of duty each year. Approximately 1 officer is killed every 53-57 hours. Statistics supported by the FBI Behavioral Unit and Center for Disease Control indicate that number to be three times higher in officer suicides each year. About 12% of those figures are female.
1974 would stake claim thus far as the deadliest year in law enforcement (271) and not one incident accounted for multiple deaths. The 1970’s would also claim to be the deadliest decade in our nation’s history; 2,231 or 223 each year.
The deadliest day in law enforcement thus far, also one of the most traumatic days in our Nation’s history is September 11, 2001 when 72 officers were killed in the line of duty protecting you and me. That year would also claim stake to 230 officers killed in the line of duty, an increase of 49% from the 154 officers who died in 2000.
On average 60,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year resulting in some 19,000 injuries.
The National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial is located at 4th & E Street in Washington DC and was dedicated in 1991 by President George Bush.
There are approximately 853 federal officers on the Memorial as well as 402 correctional officers and 43 military law enforcement officers; 173 female officers are listed on the Memorial, only 9 of whom were killed prior to 1970.
There are numerous memorials located across our nation honoring our fallen brothers and sisters. To locate these please contact your local law enforcement agency.
One of the greatest ways to honor those who died is to respect those who are working. Respect the law, the people who enforce it, and ask all young people to do the same thing. Lower your flag on May 15th, fly a blue ribbon from your antennae and if possible take the time to attend a ceremony or ceremonies honoring our fallen officers. As always help spread the word so that no officer is ever forgotten. If not throughout the year please take this day to pray for our men and women who put their life on the line day in and day out serving and protecting our families, communities and our beautiful Nation. Take a moment to thank a local Police Officer. I promise we don’t bite.
God Bless you all and may God continue to bless the men and women in uniform.
By Paul H. Bodenhamer III
Sample Proclamation…
Whereas, The Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police week; and
Whereas, the members of the law enforcement agency of (municipality) play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of (municipality); and
Whereas, it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression; and
Whereas, the men and women of the law enforcement agency of (municipality) unceasingly provide a vital public service;
Now, therefore, I, (title) of (municipality), call upon all citizens of (municipality) and upon all patriotic, civic and educational organizations to observe the week of May (date) - (date), (year), as Police Week with appropriate ceremonies and observances in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens.
I further call upon all citizens of (municipality) to observe (day), May (date), as Peace Officers' Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, and let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the (municipality) to be affixed.
Ofc. Paul H. Bodenhamer III - Founder
Brotherhood of the Badge
''We Will Never Forget''
''Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.''
John 15:13
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