An estimated 30,000 people attended The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's 30th annual candlelight vigil Sunday night on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The names of 360 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty -- including 129 who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2017 -- were formally dedicated on the walls of the memorial.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Chairman John Ashcroft delivered remarks to the thousands in attendance. The program also featured musical tributes and a special recognition of survivors of the fallen officers.
"We're here tonight to honor all of those who stand between us and lawless new by those who do the work of law enforcement and support the rule of law," Ashcroft said in his opening statements. "This is a very poignant day. Increasing poignant because it is also Mother's Day. So many of those survivors who are here today are mothers of children, so they are to be honored as mothers. But all too often they have to assume the responsibility of being mother and father to their families. It is our job to do what we can for the widows and the orphans to preserve the kind of liberty and freedom that America stands for and which we cherish."
Sessions spoke of the importance of the work law enforcement officers do and why their sacrifices must be remembered.
"Tonight we remember the fallen heroes. We mourn their loss and we re-dedicate our lives to preserving, protecting and defending our principles of order and constitutional liberty that serve us so well uniquely among the entire world."
The event concluded with the lighting of candles.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial now contains the names of 21,541 fallen law enforcement officers – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal, corrections, railroad, and military police agencies – who died in the performance of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known officer death in 1791.
The Candlelight Vigil marks the beginning of National Police Week, which will run through Saturday, May 19.
