Tag Archives: Peace Officer Memorial Day

05.15
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

Flag History

Tagged: American Flag, Half-staff, Peace Officer Memorial Day

05.14
2012

American Flags at Half-Staff for National Police Week

American Flags at Half-Staff this Week to Honor Officers of the Law Who Have Died in the Line of Duty. Today marks the beginning of National Police Week. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. This week we pay tribute to the local, state, and Federal peace officers that risk their life’s to protect and serve. The activities encompassing the commemorative week started in 1982, when 120+ survivors and supporters of law enforcement professionals gathered for a memorial service. Today, the memorial service is one of several events hosted throughout the week, a Candlelight Vigil and seminars among other planned activities, which attracts thousands of visitors to Washington D.C. for National Police Week. In honor and remembrance of the police officer who have lost their lives in the line of duty, we fly our American Flags at half-staff. We honor the more than 19,000 names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. This week we pay tribute to people, such as Shawn Schneider (above), a police officer who was shot …