National Police Week is an annual event that takes place in the United States every May to honor law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It also serves as a time to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of police officers across the country. This weeklong observance began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week.
The observance of National Police Week includes several events, such as the National Police Survivors’ Conference, the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, and the Candlelight Vigil. The National Police Survivors’ Conference is a three-day event that provides support and resources to family members and colleagues of officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The conference includes workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities to help attendees cope with their loss.
The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service is a solemn ceremony held annually on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This event honors the memory of officers who have died in the line of duty during the previous year. The names of fallen officers are read aloud, and a wreath is laid in their honor. The ceremony is attended by thousands of law enforcement officers and their families from across the country.
The Candlelight Vigil is another important event during National Police Week. It takes place at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which is located in Washington, D.C. This memorial is dedicated to the more than 22,000 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty since the first known police death in 1791. During the Candlelight Vigil, candles are lit in memory of fallen officers, and their names are read aloud.
National Police Week provides an opportunity for the public to show appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice of law enforcement officers. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and National Police Week is a way to recognize their service. It is also a time to reflect on the dangers that police officers face and the importance of supporting them.
Everyone at Zonar thanks law enforcement at the national, state, and local level for putting their lives on the line to keep our communities, our families, our schools, and our children safe. We truly owe them our lives, and we stand alongside them to offer our full and unwavering support.
Our safety and compliance team, which includes former members of law enforcement, extend a special thanks to their friends and colleagues in Washington, New Mexico and beyond for also helping to keep our highways and roads, freight trucks and buses, and transit systems safe for drivers and the general public.
