Series of events in Washington, DC , honor the service and sacrifice of more than 18,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in U.S. history
WASHINGTON , May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Police Week 2008 officially runs from May 11-17. A number of events are scheduled in and around the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in downtown Washington, DC , to honor the sacrifice of officers killed in the line of duty and to salute the men and women who continue to serve and protect. The Memorial is located in the 400 block of E Street, NW.
Sunday, May 11 , 11 am
13th Annual Law Ride
Hundreds of motorcycle-riding law enforcement officers and supporters from across the country ride from RFK Stadium to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and lay wreaths in honor of those officers, in particular motorcycle officers, who gave their lives in the line of duty. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is expected to participate.
Monday, May 12 , 2 pm
Police Unity Tour Arrival Ceremony
More than 1,100 bicycle-riding law enforcement officers and supporters complete 300-plus mile bike rides from Liberty State Park in New Jersey and Virginia Beach, Virginia , to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, in honor of fallen officers. The riders raise more than
Tuesday, May 13 , 8 pm
20th Annual Candlelight Vigil
During this moving ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the names of 358 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, including 181 officers killed in 2007, will be formally dedicated. Attorney General Michael Mukasey will deliver keynote remarks. The ceremony includes a laser light show, musical tributes and the lighting of candles.
Wednesday, May 14 , 8:30 am
6th Annual Steve Young Honor Guard Competition
John Marshall Park , Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, adjacent to the Canadian Embassy
Police honor guard units from across the country take part in a skills competition.
Wednesday, May 14 , 9 am - 3 pm
Driving for Donors National Marrow Donor Drive - Law Enforcement Kickoff
NLEOMF Visitors Center, 605 E Street, NW
Pat Pedraja , a 12-year-old boy from Florida who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2006, is embarking on his second national "drive for donors," with a law enforcement kickoff. The special "Donormobile" will be distributing information and collecting swabs for the National Marrow Registry. For details, visit www.drivingfordonors.com.
Wednesday, May 14 , 1 pm
Shomrim Society Kaddish Service
Service at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honoring Jewish law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Wednesday, May 14 , 6 pm
13th Annual Emerald Society & Pipeband March
Bagpipers from law enforcement agencies throughout the nation march from New Jersey Avenue and F Street, NW, to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Thursday, May 15 , 12 noon
Peace Officers Memorial Day Service
United States Capitol
The Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary hold a special memorial service in honor of the officers killed in the line of duty during 2007 and their families. For details, visit www.policeweek.org.
Thursday, May 15 , 3:30 pm (Approximate)
Peace Officers Memorial Day Wreathlaying Ceremony
The Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary lay a wreath at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in honor of all fallen officers.
Background
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day , and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week, in honor of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322, requiring that the American flag be lowered to half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day .
National Police Week is a collaborative effort led by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the FOP Auxiliary. Each year, the National Police Week Committee organizes a series of events in Washington, DC . There are also National Police Week observances across the country.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush . Commemorating the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers, the Memorial now includes the names of 18,274 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. Beginning in 2011, the Memorial will be complemented by the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, the largest and most comprehensive museum of its kind to be built adjacent to the Memorial in DC's Judiciary Square.
For more information about the Memorial and National Police Week, visit www.nleomf.org.
SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
