National Police Officer Week begins Monday! On October 1, 1961 President Kennedy and the U.S. Congress issued The Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation. That enactment designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, which in turn grew into a week of events known as Police Week. This is a week for memorializing those who have died in the line of duty and to show our appreciation to officers – past and present – serving our city.
This year Police Week means even more to us. We are honoring our own recently fallen officer, Master Officer Joseph Shinners. Master Officer Shinners died in the line of duty January 5, 2019 while apprehending a dangerous fugitive felon. We will always remember his service here. When you see our officers celebrating Police Week 2019, remember they are doing it with a renewed purpose. Join with me and give them all of the support they deserve.
To recognize National Police Week and our local law enforcement, a Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the courtyard of the City Center.
I would like to invite everyone to attend the ceremony. Hope to see you there!
Joint Resolution 76 Stat. 676 reads:
"Whereas these officers have safeguarded the lives and property of their fellow Americans; and
"Whereas by the enforcement of our laws, these same officers have given our country internal freedom from fear of the violence and civil disorder that is presently affecting other nations;
"Whereas these men and women by their patriotic service and their dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of the Republic: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to issue proclamations (1) designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty, (2) directing the officials of the Government to display at half-staff the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on such day, as provided by section 3(m) of the Act of June 22, 1942 (Chapter 435; 56 Stat. 377; 36 U. S. C. 175), (3) designating in each year the calendar week during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week, in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws, and (4) inviting the governments of the States and communities and the people of the United States to observe such day and week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including the display at half-staff of the flag of the United States. Approved October 1, 1962.
"To pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962 (75 Stat.676), has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," and the week in which it falls as "National Police Week" and by Public Law 103-322 (36 U.S.C. 175) has requested that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers' Memorial Day."Every year the Fraternal order of Police gathers thousands of Officers in Washington DC to celebrate to honor officers who have served and sacrificed in uniform or lost their lives in the line of duty.