National Police Week

Harold L. Vitale

Memorial Fund

The annual Candlelight at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is one activity that brings law enforcement survivors to Washington, DC, during National Police Week each year.

May 15 has been National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been National Police Week, since President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on October 1, 1962.

The National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service on May 15 draws thousands from all across the nation.

But it was not until May 15, 1982, that the first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was held. Washington, DC, activities during National Police Week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and COPS' National Police Survivors' Seminars as well as the National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service.

The National Police Survivors' Seminars offer peer-support and professional counselors to assist survivors as they move along their path of grief.

Public Law 87-726, signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, was amended by the 103rd Congress as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322 which directs that the flag of the United States on all Government buildings be displayed at half-staff on May 15, National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

Click here for a Sample Proclamation that can be individualized for your municipality to recognize Police Week.

DISCLOSURE: If you would like to help our organization by doing a fundraiser using our name, acronym, trademark or logo, or if you are with another organization and want to reference your support of COPS in your organization’s materials, please keep the following in mind: Our organization has developed a proprietary interest in its name, acronym, trademark and logo, and all uses of same require our prior approval. Please submit your proposals or requests in writing to our national office to the attention of: Suzie Sawyer, Executive Director, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020. Any unauthorized use of our name, acronym, trademark or logo can result in legal action. Only our national office can give consent, so please receive permission first.