National Police Week is underway through Saturday, May 16, 2020. 

Mississippi’s U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and U.S. Attorney General William Barr recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. 

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

“I want to sincerely thank our men and women in law enforcement for their service to our citizens and our communities. Their devotion to duty, unwavering resolve, and sacrificial actions protect every single one of us and help keep our families safe. While we recognize them during this week every year, we should all be honoring and thanking them every single day for the job they do and the professional way in which they do it. Let’s take this week to recommit ourselves to do more in the future to honor and pay respect to these real-life heroes and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.   

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including one officer, Biloxi Police officer Robert McKeithen, in the Southern District of Mississippi.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil.

Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be live-streamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.