Washington, DC - For the first time in the 21-year history of the event, the Candlelight Vigil for fallen officers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will be streamed live over the Internet. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is teaming up with Officer.com to provide a free, live videocast of the vigil ceremony from Washington, DC, beginning at 8 PM (EDT) on Wednesday, May 13. To register online, go to www.nleomf.org/NPW2009.
Held each May during National Police Week, the Candlelight Vigil honors all law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. During this year's vigil, the names of 387 officers newly engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will be read aloud and formally dedicated on the monument. The 387 include 133 officers who were killed in 2008, plus 254 who died earlier in U.S. history but whose cases only recently came to light.
"The Candlelight Vigil is one of the most emotional and awe-inspiring events of National Police Week, and each year thousands of family members, law enforcement officers and supporters pack the Memorial grounds for this special tribute to our fallen heroes," said NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd. "Thanks to our partnership with Officer.com, we will able to bring the emotion and honor of this year's ceremony to people across the country, especially those loved ones and colleagues of fallen officers who cannot be in DC."
Added Mr. Floyd, "Almost every other day in our country, a law enforcement officer sacrifices his or her life for the safety and protection of the rest of us. Coming to the Candlelight Vigil in person or viewing the ceremony over the videocast is a wonderful way for a grateful nation to show its appreciation and respect for these American heroes."
