National Peace Officers Memorial Day today, May 15th, 2009

Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day and this week has been designated Police Week. Our flags will be flying at half-staff in honor of the more than 17,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. Peace Officers Memorial Day was created on 1 October 1961 when Congress asked the president to designate May 15th to honor peace officers. John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. According to a proclamation by George W. Bush in 2002, “Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week pay 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.” Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty and there is a National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., which features the names of the local, State, and Federal peace officers and law enforcement officers who have been slain. More history on the Memorial Day here. Rest in peace.