30th Annual Memorial Service Honors Officers' Sacrifice
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary will gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to honor the one hundred and fifty-two (152) law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty in 2010. The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service is the capstone event of National Police Week.
Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, will host the event which will feature a keynote address by Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. International music star Jon Secada will perform a musical tribute in honor of the fallen officers and their surviving family members, colleagues, and friends who will be in attendance.
"Every year, the FOP and its extended law enforcement family come together on this day to remember, to reflect, and to honor our fallen heroes," Canterbury said. "In sharing our grief, we find the strength to renew our commitment to serve and protect our families, our communities, and our nation."
During National Police Week, thousands of law enforcement officers in every region of the nation gather at memorial services to honor their fallen colleagues. More than 20,000 officers, as well as the surviving family members and friends of slain officers, have traveled to the nation's capital to attend the 30th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is the nation's largest and most prominent memorial service held on behalf of fallen law enforcement officers.
In October 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Since the signing of this proclamation, this date has been the official day of recognition for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the performance of their duty. This is the 30th year that the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary have held the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 335,000 members.
Information on this year's Event:
- FOP National President Chuck Canterbury will host the event, which will honor the families of one hundred and sixty-five (165) law enforcement officers from forty-four (44) States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and six (6) different Federal agencies.
- Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is the keynote speaker for the event.
- International music star Jon Secada will perform a musical tribute in honor of the fallen officers and their surviving family members, coworkers and friends attending the event. Attendance is expected to exceed 20,000.
History of the Event:
- In October of 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation setting aside May 15th every year as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. Since the signing of this proclamation, this date has been the official day of recognition for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the performance of their duty.
- On 15 May 1982, the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary hosted the First Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. The ceremony has become nationally recognized, which contributed to the building and dedication of the "Wall of Remembrance" on Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. The Wall is inscribed with the names of the more than 19,000 law enforcement officers who have made the supreme sacrifice "to protect and serve" the laws and the citizens of the United States.
Facts about Law Enforcement Officer Line of Duty Deaths
- A total of 152 officers were killed in the of duty in 2010.
- Since the first recorded police death in 1792, there have been more than 19,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
- A total of 1,632 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the last 10 years, an average of one death every 54 hours or 163 per year.
- The deadliest year in law enforcement history was 1930 when 279 officers were killed.
- The deadliest decade was the 1970s when a total of 2,275 officers died, or 228 each year.
- The deadliest day in law enforcement history was 11 September 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on the United States.
- New York City has lost more officers in the line of duty than any other department, with 693 deaths. Texas has lost 1,579 officers, more than any other State.
CONTACT: TIM RICHARDSON
(202) 547-8189
SOURCE Fraternal Order of Police
