Honor the fallen, respect the force

Nearly 700,000 law enforcement officers serve the United States (statista.com), but each year new names get added to the wall of law enforcement officers who have died in service.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 362 police officers and other law enforcement workers died in the line of duty in 2020, and in their honor we celebrate Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, part of Police Week. This day pays a tribute to local, state, and federal law enforcement workers who have made numerous sacrifices to make sure people are kept safe.

There are various organizations and government agencies that hold events to honor these officers. Washington D.C. has the biggest memorial center, and many families come and support one another on this day.

According to National Day Calendar, on October 1, 1961, a congress member asked President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15 as a day to honor peace officers, and he agreed, designating that date as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1994, Bill Clinton made an amendment through Public Law to have the American flag to be flown over the memorials on May 15 every year.