Celebrating National Police Week

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Dickinson
  • 436th Security Forces Squadron
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  'To Serve and Protect.' These famous words are seen on police cars across America. Law enforcement officers place their lives on the line daily to protect the communities they live and serve in. Many police officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their communities.

This is the time of year when we honor the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to ensure our homes, families, and way of life are kept safe through the observance of National Police Week.

President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on Oct. 1, 1962, designating May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week surrounding it as National Police Week.

Approximately 740,000 sworn law enforcement officers serve our nation. On average, 150 officers die each year in the line of duty, or one officer every 57 hours. The deadliest day in law enforcement history was Sept. 11 when 72 officers were killed in the line of duty. This year, National Police Week activities will be observed May 9-15.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation's monument dedicated to those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the protection of our nation and its people. The memorial was dedicated on Oct. 15, 1991 and honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers. Unlike many other memorials, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is ever-changing with new names added to the monument each year in conjunction with National Police Week.

More than 20,000 people will visit the memorial of the 22nd annual Candlelight Vigil that takes place May 13 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Candles are raised in honor of all the nation's past fallen law enforcement officers, as well as hearing the names of the newly engraved officers on the Memorial wall. The annual Peace Officers Memorial Day Service will take place May 15 at noon, outside the U.S. Capitol.

Each year the 436th Security Forces Squadron pays tribute to our nation's fallen law enforcement officers by observing National Police Week activities at Dover Air Force Base. The squadron sponsors many events for law enforcement officers throughout the state of Delaware to include: a pistol competition, softball tournament, golf tournament, law enforcement display, military working dog demos and much more.