2012
Peace Officers Memorial Day
American Flags at Half-Staff for Peace Officer Memorial Day & National Police Week 2012
Today, May 15, 2012, in the United States is the merriment of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Today we pay tribute to local, State, and Federal peace officers. Peace Officers Memorial Day was established on October 1, 1961 by the request of Congress to designate May 15th to honor peace officers. President John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962 and it was amended in 1994 by President Clinton. The amendment, through Public Law 103-322, directed that the United States flag be flown at half-staff on May 15th. One focal point of the holiday is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. The wall features the names of nearly 19,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
“Peace Officer Memorial Day pay(s) tribute to the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication. These observances also remind us of the ongoing need to be vigilant against all forms of crime, especially to acts of extreme violence and terrorism.” -President George W. Bush 2002
