In 1962, President John F. Kennedy
designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls
as National Police Week. This year, as thousands of law enforcement officers
from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. to honor colleagues who have
made the ultimate sacrifice, the FBI joins with the rest of the country in
paying tribute as well.
The week’s events began Sunday evening
with a candlelight vigil held at the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial. The names of 362 fallen officers were read aloud, to be added to the
nearly 20,000 other names permanently etched into the memorial’s walls. The
event was underscored by a preliminary report issued today that showed 72 law
enforcement officers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico were feloniously killed in the
line of duty in 2011 and 50 were killed accidentally. The FBI will release
final statistics this fall in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s
publication, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2011.
“These men and women place the safety
and security of others above their own,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in
remarks delivered at Sunday’s ceremony. “When facing uncertain dangers and
confronting unpredictable threats, they consistently respond with courage,
selflessness, and strength. And every day—in communities nationwide—their
contributions are felt and deeply appreciated.”
Today, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller
issued a video message (below) recognizing officers for putting their lives on
the line every day. “The FBI is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our
law enforcement colleagues as we continue our work together to protect our
families and our communities,” he said.
Also today, Director Mueller presided
over a memorial service at FBI Headquarters to honor those lost from the FBI
family, including two agents who passed away last year. Among the attendees
were former FBI Directors Louis Freeh, William Sessions, and William Webster.
Mueller said fallen officers and agents leave behind an enduring legacy and
through their sacrifice set a standard for which we are forever grateful.
“Though their stories are different,
they shared much in common,” Mueller said. “They shared a devotion to
service—service to the FBI, service to their communities, and service to our
country. They shared a commitment to justice and to the rule of law. And they
shared remarkable bravery.”
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