Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in the United States

TheHingham Dept. of Veterans’ Services, in conjunction with the Veterans’Council, annually presents our local Police Dept. with a Memorial Wreathto show our continued support and remembrance. This year a briefceremony will be conducted in front of Town Hall at 15:00hrs. – (3pm) /Monday, 15MAY2017 Please make every effort to attend.

PeaceOfficers’ Memorial Day is held annually in the United States on May 15in honor of federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in theline of duty. It is observed in conjunction with Police Week.

What Do People Do?

Manypeople in the United States will pay tribute to officers who lost theirlives or were injured in their jobs. According to Concerns of PoliceSurvivors (COPS), about 140-160 officers are killed in the line of dutyeach year and their families and co-workers are left to cope with thetragic loss.

Many businesses and community membersacross the nation, especially those who lost family members, friends orcolleagues who were local officers, will lower their flags inremembrance of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Somepolice departments hold an annual law enforcement memorial ceremony onthis day.

Each year, the Fraternal Order of Police andits Auxiliary organizes a national memorial service on the day, drawingthousands of people from many parts of the United States. The service isfollowed by the placement of a memorial wreath at the National LawEnforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. On this day, people arealso reminded of the need to be vigilant against all forms of crime.

Public Life

PeaceOfficers Memorial Day is an observance but it is not a federal publicholiday in the United States. Some people may take time off work, suchas an extended lunch break if a memorial service is held at noon, toattend a memorial service on this day.

Background

Theidea of a Peace Officers Memorial Day came into effect on October 1,1961, when Congress asked the President to designate May 15 to honor lawenforcement officers. President John F Kennedy signed the bill into lawon October 1, 1962. Each year, the President of the United Statesproclaims May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the calendar weekof each year during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week.

Accordingto the Legal Information Institute, the President is requested to issuea proclamation to: designate May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day; todirect government officials to display the United States flag at halfstaff on all government buildings; and to invite state and localgovernments and the people to observe the day with  appropriateceremonies and activities.