U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza Recognizes National Police Week

SAN ANTONIO – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The week is observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.

“As our country recognizes National Police Week, the Justice Department joins families and communities in remembering the members of the law enforcement community who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the public,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Policing is difficult and dangerous, yet time and time again, law enforcement officers answer the call, showing up for their communities when they are needed the most. Their devotion to duty is matched only by that of their loved ones who make daily sacrifices to support them. The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to help provide our law enforcement partners with the resources they need to carry out their noble work on behalf of the public.”

“As U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, I am grateful to our federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners for their daily commitment to protecting our citizens and upholding the rule of law,” said Esparza. “We see in our communities across the United States each and every day, law enforcement officers place their lives on the line to prioritize the safety and security of our neighbors, our friends, and our loved ones.”

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.  

In the past year, two law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty while serving in the Western District of Texas. Sergeant Joshua Clouse, a Cameron Police Officer and U.S. Army veteran, was fatally shot by a subject while executing a search warrant in Cameron, south of Waco in May 2023. In November, Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore was killed, and another officer injured during a SWAT standoff with a violent assailant. Pastore had previously been an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Parkland, Florida, and responded to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. This week, we remember and honor their sacrifice along with the sacrifice of their families and of too many law enforcement officers before them. Every day, we must be grateful for the commitment of our law enforcement officers to protecting our citizenry, and for their selfless service to our communities.

On Monday, May 13, the names of more than 280 officers killed in the line of duty in 2024 who have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial were read during a Candlelight Vigil. To view a recording of the livestream of this event, visit https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil/.

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

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