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History of National Police Week

Little did anyone know back in October, 1962, that it would take 20 years for any police group to actually celebrate National Peace Officers' Memorial Week.

In August, 1981, newly-elected National Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Auxiliary, Suzie Sawyer, made a motion at the FOP Auxiliary National Post-Conference Board Meeting to sponsor a National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service.  After much discussion about the activity being too much for this small organization to handle, newly-elected National President Trudy Chapman "vacated her position" as President and talked to the group about the need for the Auxiliary to have a national project to support the law enforcement profession.  After a vote of the National Auxiliary Board at that meeting, the first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was held in Washington, DC, on May 15, 1982, on Capitol Hill in the small, beautiful "Senate Park".  Only 125 people attended, but the activity proved to be promising.  Then FOP National President Leo Marchetti vowed the FOP's support in increasing attendance at that activity.

On the eve of the second National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service on May 14, 1983, much to the surprise of police officers and Auxiliary members who planned to attend, ten young widows came to Washington, DC, to attend that Memorial Day Service.  Once the survivors began meeting with police officers, emotions started to flow.  The women from the Auxiliary were asked to serve as hostesses for these survivors and the women all left the host hotel to find a nice, quiet place where everyone could talk.

After several hours of open discussion about their new life following the traumatic death of their police officer, the surviving spouses realized they had now become "the bad reminder of law enforcement's ultimate demand."  All too often, they talked about abandonment by the agency that once promised they would always be part of the police family.  Following the emotional discussion, a young police survivor by the name of Lynn Bolton from Eau Claire, WI, came forward to talk with Suzie Sawyer and Trudy Chapman about what had just transpired at that meeting of survivors.  "This is the greatest thing that has happened to me in the past year," the young widow said.  "I have finally found people who understand what I am having to deal with.  Next year couldn't we have a seminar?"

Suzie Sawyer replied, "And what would we talk about -- death?"

"Yes", was Lynn Bolton's response.  "Somebody needs to talk about death in law enforcement!"

So on May 14, 1984, the first National Police Survivors' Seminar was held.  The luncheon was sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police.  At that seminar the survivors felt such a tremendous closeness that they voted unanimously to organize their own national, peer- support organization.  Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. was born on that day.

Later that year in October of 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the legislation that allowed the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to begin raising money for an appropriate monument in Washington, DC, honoring the fallen law enforcement officers of America.  That effort was spearheaded by Congressman Mario Biaggi, a Democrat from New York who was the most highly-decorated police officer in the history of the New York Police Department.  Senator Claiborn Pell was also offered an honorary position on that board since he was instrumental in seeing that legislation passed through the U.S. Senate.

In 1989, the first annual Candlelight Vigil was held at the site of the soon-to-be constructed National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square in Washington, DC.  In October, 1991, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated by President George Bush.  Today that Memorial Wall carries the names of over 16,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

While police agencies may have celebrated National Police Week on the local level years ago, today there is a new heightened awareness of National Police Week. 

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. distributes a half million blue ribbons for law enforcement agencies to tie to their car antennas to call national attention to this day; the U.S. Congress has passed legislation that allows the U.S. flag to be flown at half staff on May 15; numerous police organizations hold memorial services locally, regionally, and on a statewide level during that week; police departments may have open houses, SWAT team demonstrations, etc. to promote National Police Week.

 

Sample Proclamation

Whereas, The Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police week; and

Whereas, the members of the law enforcement agency of (municipality) play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of (municipality); and

Whereas, it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression; and

Whereas, the men and women of the law enforcement agency of (municipality) unceasingly provide a vital public service;

Now, therefore, I, (title) of (municipality), call upon all citizens of (municipality) and upon all patriotic, civic and educational organizations to observe the week of May (date) - (date), (year), as Police Week with appropriate ceremonies and observances in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens.

I further call upon all citizens of (municipality) to observe (day), May (date), as Peace Officers' Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, and let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes.

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the (municipality) to be affixed.

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.

P.O. Box 3199 - 846 Old South 5 - Camdenton, MO 65020

Phone: 573-346-4911 - Fax: 573-346-1414 - Email: cops@nationalcops.org

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 C.O.P.S. 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: Mariah Hughes, 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. Copyright © 1996 Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.