CSU and communities across the United States will again come together during National Police Week—May 11-17—to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.
This year, the names of 286 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Among the 286 officers are 100 officers who were killed during 2013, including CSU student Michael Stockwell of Orange Beach, Ala. Police Department, along with 186 officers who died in previous years but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.
“Police Week is a time to recognize those brave and courageous people in big cities and small towns across the United States that put the uniform on and protect our society from harm,” commented CSU alumnus Donnie Gay, police chief for Wingate, N.C. “You know, we all join the force for different reasons, some to save the world, some to give back to their community, some for the action, but no one ever signs up to lose their life.”
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
The names of all 286 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13. So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be webcast live over the Internet beginning at 8 p.m. (EDT) on May 13.
If you would like to dedicate a candle to a fallen officer, visit National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum
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