Peace Officers Memorial Day is May 15
National Police Week is May 12 - 18, 2024
On October 1, 1961, Congress authorized then President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15 as an annual holiday to honor peace officers across the United States. This resolution is included below, please scroll to read it in its entirety.
American flags should be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15.
Commemorating the Service and Sacrifice
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Each year, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. honors the 21,000-plus law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in the United States. Inscribed upon the walls that line the walkways of the memorial are the names of those who have fallen in service of their communities, and inscribed below the lion statues that watch over the names are various verses and quotatons, including George H. W. Bush’s words, “Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.”
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Thank Your Local Law Enforcement Officers
In 1991, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. was officially dedicated and has served as the hosting place for the annual candlelight vigil held to commemorate any names added to the memorial walls in a given year.
Anyone wishing to honor a law enforcement officer, police officer, or fellow officer can fly the American flag at half-staff and also fly the Thin Blue Line flag or the Thin Blue Line 50 Star flag as a tribute. LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave® offers both.
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Joint Resolution 76, Statute 676 reads as follows:
To authorize the President to proclaim May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week.
Whereas the police officers of America have worked devotedly and selflessly in behalf of the people of this Nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves; and
Whereas these officers have safeguarded the lives and property of their fellow Americans; and
Whereas by the enforcement of our laws, these same officers have given our country internal freedom from fear of the violence and civil disorder that is presently affecting other nations;
Whereas these men and women by their patriotic service and their dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of the Republic: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to issue proclamations (1) designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty, (2) directing the officials of the Government to display at half-staff the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on such day, as provided by section 3(m) of the Act of June 22, 1942 (Chapter 435; 56 Stat. 377; 36 U. S. C. 175), (3) designating in each year the calendar week during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week, in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws, and (4) inviting the governments of the States and communities and the people of the United States to observe such day and week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including the display at half-staff of the flag of the United States. Approved October 1, 1962.
To pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (75 Stat.676), has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," and the week in which it falls as “National Police Week” and by Public Law 103-322 (36 U.S.C. 175) has requested that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers' Memorial Day.
Do You Participate in Police Week Festivities?
Send us your pictures of Law Enforcement memorials, first responder flags, American flags, flagpoles, ropes, or other accessories! We would be honored to feature your photography in our blog or on Facebook. Remember, photos of damaged flags and accessories are valuable, too.
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