National Police Week—May 9-15, 2010

View the schedule for
National Police Week 2010

Each May during National Police Week the nation pauses to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement.

Established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special tribute to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Ceremonies are held in Washington, DC, and in communities across the country.

In the nation’s capital, National Police Week features a number of special events and moving tributes:

• The 22nd annual Candlelight Vigil takes place on Thursday evening, May 13, at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. An anticipated 20,000 people will pack the Memorial grounds to raise candles in honor of all fallen officers and to hear the names newly engraved on the Memorial walls read aloud.
  
  
• The annual Peace Officers Memorial Day Service, organized by the Fraternal Order of Police and FOP Auxiliary, takes place at 12 noon on Saturday, May 15, outside the U.S. Capitol.
  
  
• The National Police Survivors’ Conference organized by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) occurs on May 14 and 16. Law enforcement survivors from all across the nation gather for in-depth grief work and issue-oriented information sharing (advance registration required).
  
  
• The Police Unity Tour arrives at the Memorial on May 12. Hundreds of law enforcement officers and supporters on bicycles are welcomed after completing their multi-day, 300-mile journey in honor of fallen officers.

Various other special events — a pipeband march, an honor guard competition, a motorcycle Law Ride and more — take place in and around the Memorial during National Police Week. In general, National Police Week events are free and open to the public.

We look forward to welcoming our friends, supporters and law enforcement survivors to our nation’s capital for National Police Week 2010. And please check back often for schedule updates and other information.

NLEOMF National Police Week events and activities are supported, in part, by a generous contribution from the Target Corporation.