May there never be a third

Chivalry, integrity and the love of peace.  That was their gift. That is their legacy.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as "Police Week". Every year since, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The first official memorial service took place on May 15th, 1982. On that date, approximately 125 people gathered in Sanate Park to honor 91 law enforcement officers. Over the past 22 years, we have honored over 3,000 law enforcement officers from around our nation. Today, the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service has become one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS)." - National Memorial Committee

The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Grand Lodge Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Police are the official sponsors of the Memorial Service.

Read about the history of police week at the
Concerns of Police Survivors Official Site