Monday, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In October 1962, the Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, and especially in the Northern District of Alabama, by recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe,” Town said. “As the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, I want to acknowledge the work performed by our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the decision made to protect and serve knowing that at any moment they could find themselves facing dangerous situations. We must never forget the families of these brave men and women, you have our respect and support. This week let us all take time to recognize the sacrifices of every member of law enforcement, especially those fallen officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.”
Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville said on social media, “This #NationalPoliceWeek, please join me in expressing gratitude to the countless law enforcement officers who daily put their lives on the line to serve and protect our communities.”
Congresswoman Martha Roby, R-Montgomery announced, “It’s #NationalPoliceWeek! Let’s all take time to thank our law enforcement officers and their families for their work and sacrifices to keep American communities safe.”
According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in the line-of-duty incidents in 2018.
The FBI released comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018
https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/
The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide were formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019.
The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.
To learn more about National Police Week events, please visit here.
