For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyday life, Police Week was held in the spring, with the Police Unity Bike Tour, Candlelight Vigil, Peace Officers Memorial Service, Wreath Laying Ceremony and Concerns of Police Survivors events taking place in Washington, D.C. before and during the week of May 15 to May 21.
The 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil hosted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund took place on the National Mall, while the 41st annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police took place on the West Front of the United States Capitol.
A proper tribute
NLEOMF CEO Marcia Ferranto spoke to the crowd at the vigil before each name of the 619 fallen law enforcement officers that were etched on the memorial walls the previous month were read out loud.
“When we dedicated the law enforcement national monument 31 years ago, there were more than 12,500 names on its walls. As a special tribute to those men and women, we read each of their names in final roll call that lasted a full 24 hours,” she said. “Ever since, we have given that same honor to each name that has been added to this national treasure.”
Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, said that the risk an officer bears is born by others and that the loss is felt deeply and profoundly. “The road of service is paved by those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Not only those whom we have lost, but their families, loved ones, friends, colleagues and neighbors too,” he told the crowd at the vigil. “Each time an officer dons their uniform, pins on their badge, holsters their firearm and walks out the front door of their home, their loved ones walk out that front door too.”
During the memorial service, FOP National President Patrick Yoes told those in attendance that the character of the nation’s law enforcement officers has been tested, yet they have not backed down and still stand strong. “Today across America, you’ll find communities that are struggling in wake of two of the most challenging years in recent history. In every one of these communities, you will also find selfless men and women so dedicated that they took an oath to preserving law and order in towns and cities, large and small, all across this great land.”
President Joe Biden spoke at the memorial, as every U.S. president has done since the event was first held. He said that no memorial, no gestures, can fill the void in the hearts of family members and colleagues who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. “Being here today and hearing the name of your husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister brings it all back as if you just got that phone call 10 minutes ago. The American people, we owe you.”
Answering the call
Mayorkas said that during these challenging times, frontline officers have shouldered the weight week in and week out, morning, day and night, adding that they have done so with unwavering dedication, professionalism and integrity. “On this day of remembrance, we raise up that which we carry deep within us every day. Pride in mission, service to country, and faithfulness to the memory of the fallen who make our ongoing work possible.”
Yoes, who echoed those sentiments, said that officers wear their badge and uniform and show up to work every day despite the imminent dangers that await them. “Daily, we’re called upon to stand guard on a line between order and chaos, so that our communities can have a sense of safety and security. Law enforcement officers are ordinary people who answer to a higher calling of public service and at times were called upon to do some extraordinary things. But we’re not superheroes, nor do we possess superpowers. And while we strive for excellence, we’ve yet to achieve perfection.”
Biden stressed that more can be done to support the county’s men and women in blue. “We expect so much from our law enforcement officers today. This is a different world we’re in. Just in the last several years, it’s so much more complicated. The job is complicated,” he said. “Yet we expect so much more of all of you. We expect you to be drug counselors for the 100,000 overdose deaths that took place this year—100,000. We expect you to counsel those in the midst of a violent confrontation of a husband and wife, man and woman. So many of you are—literally and figuratively get caught in the crossfire. You’re not trained psychologists; you’re law enforcement officers. We expect you to be everything. We expect everything of you. Being a cop today is a heck of a lot harder than it’s ever been.”
Finding support
Patricia Carruth, National President of Concerns of Police Survivors, spoke at the vigil about her pain following the death of her son, Alexandria, Louisiana Police Officer Jeremy Carruth, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Feb. 20, 2003.
“Our family definitely changed on that day. As with any parent who has lost a child, the grief was at times unbearable and most times it took every ounce of energy I had,” she said. “My faith was my foundation that saved me from sinking into total darkness. I found early in my grief that I could not lean on my own understanding of anything to do with this. This was a territory that I knew nothing of. I had to totally lean on God. He was my guide and on many days, it was really hard to stay focused.”
She said that for all of her life she has been taught forgiveness and that she had taught her son the same. “I decided to forgive my son’s killer and I must say, that I felt like I was set free to grieve in a way that felt right for me. Actually, I have learned much about living life from my son’s death. I have learned to live life to the fullest I have learned to live life and make life count. I have learned to speak about love and speak of it each day every day. I have learned the true meaning of love one another unconditionally and do it today.”
For Carruth, becoming involved in COPS and attending hands-on programs and sessions allowed her to see that not everyone navigates their own grief in the same way she did. “My grief was different from others. I have had much support from my very own family. I have had an awesome community lifting me up in prayers, prayers of survival and healing. I have had a department that has always been there for me,” she said. “But even with all that support, I was brokenhearted, and my family was hurting so deeply. I found myself wondering if I could ever get back to where I was before my son was killed. As I thought about this, I realized I wasn’t the same person after the birth of my son. He was my first child he had totally changed my life. I had never known a love like that before. Could I possibly navigate my grief with the same energy and love?
“I’m here to share with you, love is enough. Love does not die. My son is gone, but the love is still here. No one can take that from me, not even death. I’m telling you that the love of being a mother is forever. Even though my heart was broken, and the jagged edges were evidence of the relationship with my son, the gaps between the broken edges were making more room for me to love even more. To love people who were broken just like me to love them right where they were. It’s that love, it’s God’s love, that fuels my fire for the COPS organization.”
Paul Peluso | Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.
