National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
WASHINGTON — The names of 394 U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty will be formally dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil held on the national Mall between 4th and 7th streets in Washington, DC on the evening of May 13.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security John Kelly will deliver special remarks and lead in candle lighting and reading the names of the fallen officers. The names of 394 officers added to the Memorial this year include 143 who made the ultimate sacrifice during 2016, in addition to 251 officers who died earlier in history but whose sacrifice had not been previously documented. Included in the 251 historical cases are the names of 72 law enforcement officers who died as a result of performing rescue and recovery work after the 9-11 terrorist attacks in New York.
With these additions, there are 21,183 officers’ names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, and military police agencies.
Each May 13, an estimated 30,000 people assemble for the Memorial Fund’s annual Candlelight Vigil, a signature event of National Police Week. For the ninth year, the ceremony will be streamed live so that people across the country can witness this annual tribute to America’s law enforcement officers. Individuals interested in the free webcast can register online at www.UnitedByLight.org.
“Our annual Candlelight Vigil is a moving tribute to the brave men and women of law enforcement who put the safety and protection of others ahead of their own—especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the process,” said Craig W. Floyd, President & CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “Attending the ceremony in person or viewing it online is a meaningful way for all Americans to show their appreciation and respect for these heroes,” he shared.
The names of the 394 officers added to the National Memorial this year can be found at www.LawMemorial.org/2017RollCall. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.