Justice Department Leadership Honors Service and Sacrifice of Nation’s Law Enforcement for Police Week

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement community. This year, memorial events ran May 9 - 20.

In recognition of National Police Week, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta joined law enforcement partners to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation.

Department’s leadership convened a gathering of 10 law enforcement associations with whom they regularly meet, the four heads of the Justice Department’s law enforcement components, and representatives from other federal agencies to discuss the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, recruitment and retention of law enforcement, improving access to behavioral health services, and responding to people in crisis.

The discussion focused on the whole of government approach federal agencies are taking to combat gun violence and violent crime.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland reads names of fallen officers at the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil as part of National Police Week.

The 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil for National Police Week involved thousands of participants lighting candles.

The 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil for National Police Week was held on the National Mall.

“To the family members, partners, colleagues, and friends who have traveled here today to remember your loved ones: We know it is impossible to understand the grief you endure, or to fully comprehend your loss. So, as we pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country, we also honor the ongoing sacrifices by those they loved the most. Thank you so much for being here.” -Attorney General Merrick B. Garland

Attorney General Garland delivered the keynote address at the Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service sponsored by the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, on the west front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., honoring the officers who recently made the ultimate sacrifice and paying tribute to all the fallen.