NATIONAL POLICE
WEEK
2009
E Street, Washington D.C.
|
 The History of Police
Week
From the Concerns of Police Survivors Group
 May 15 has
been National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15
has been National Police Week (sometimes know as Police Memorial Week) since President John F. Kennedy signed
Public Law 87-726 on October 1, 1962.
The National
Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service on May 15 draws thousands from all
across the nation.
But it was not
until May 15, 1982, that the first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day
Service was held.
 Washington, D.C. activities during National Police Week
now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial and COPS' National Police Survivors' Seminars as well as
the National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service.
The National
Police Survivors' Seminars offer peer-support and professional counselors
to assist survivors as they move along their path of grief.
Public Law
87-726, signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, was amended by the
103rd Congress as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement
Act of 1994. President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322 which
directs that the flag of the United States on all Government buildings be
displayed at half-staff on May 15, National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.
 Today,
National Police Week is a solemn period each year where every officer should
reflect on those who have fallen. Police Week is more than just "our
profession's" secretary's day.
It should be celebrated in every
stationhouse throughout the country. Muster rooms should be adorned
with decor reminding every officer of the week's meaning. Every shift
briefing should include a bullet on the week. Prayers and moments of
silence should should be held in unison throughout the country.
National Police Week is ours.
It is up to us to make it mean something.
Please support the National Law
Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund.
POLICE
WEEK 2009
WASHINGTON, May 8
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following events will take place
at the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate
National Police Week,
May 10-16. The Memorial is located in the 400 block of E Street,
NW, in Washington, DC.
May 10,
11 am: 14th Annual Law Ride
Motorcycle riders will stage at
RFK stadium and ride to the Memorial to lay a wreath in honor of
fallen law enforcement officers.
May 12,
2 pm: Police Unity Tour Arrival Ceremony
More than 1,000 law enforcement
officers and supporters on bicycles will arrive at the Memorial
at the conclusion of three- and four-day rides from northern New
Jersey and southern Virginia to raise
awareness of officers killed in the
line of duty.
May 13,
8 pm: 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil
U.S. Attorney General
Eric Holder will lead the lighting of candles and
reading of the names of law enforcement officers who have died
in the line of duty. The program includes musical tributes and a
blue laser light show.
May 14,
9 am: Shomrim Society Kaddish Service
A ceremony to honor Jewish law
enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
May 14,
6 pm: 14th Annual Emerald Society & Pipeband March and
Service
Bagpipers and drum corps from
across the country will process from New Jersey Avenue and F
Street, NW, to the Memorial.
May 15,
3:30 pm (approximate): Fraternal Order of Police/FOP
Auxiliary Wreathlaying Service
At the conclusion of the Peace
Officers Memorial Day Service at the U.S.
Capitol, the commemorate wreath will be brought to the Memorial.
Honor Guard units from across the country will stand watch at
the Memorial until midnight.
All events at the Memorial are
free and open to members of the public and the news media.
Except for the Candlelight Vigil on May 13, media
representatives do not need credentials to cover events at the
Memorial. For information on media credentials for May 13,
visit
www.nleomf.org/NPW2009/npw_credentials_09.html.
For more information about
National Police Week, including a comprehensive schedule of
events in the Washington, DC area, visit
www.nleomf.org/NPW2009.
Related Links
Concerns
of Police Survivors Schedule for the Week
National Law Enforcement
Officer Memorial
Police Unity Tour
2009
National
Police Week 2009 |
