Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney Recognize Law Enforcement Service and Sacrifice During National Police Week

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Attorney General Sessions and McGregor W. Scott, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, and commented on the FBI’s 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report.

According to statistics collected by the FBI, 93 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2017 — a 21 percent decrease from 2016 when 118 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents.

Additionally, in 2017 there were 46 law enforcement officers killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts — this is a 30 percent decrease from 2016, when 66 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts.

 “One officer death is too many,” Attorney General Sessions said. “While we are inexpressibly grateful to have had a decrease in the number of officers killed in the line-of-duty last year, the number is still far too high. At the Department of Justice, we honor the memories of the fallen, and we pray for their families. We are also following President Trump’s Executive Orders to back the women and men in blue, to enhance law enforcement safety, and to reduce violent crime in America. Those priorities will help keep every American safe, including those who risk their lives for us. As always, we have their backs and they have our thanks.”

“This week is a somber reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face on our behalf,” U.S. Attorney Scott said. “These officers strive to keep our communities safe and they put their lives on the line in the service of others. We are humbled by the sacrifices they make and we take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for their service.”

In October 1962, Congress passed and President Kennedy signed a joint resolution declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.

During Police Week, which is observed from Sunday, May 13 to Saturday, May 19, 2018, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe.

In the last several days, U.S. Attorney Scott and others from the U.S. Attorney’s Office helped to commemorate the selfless service of law enforcement officers by attending the California Highway Patrol Peace Officer Memorial at the CHP Academy, the California Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony at the California Peace Officers Memorial, the Sacramento Peace Officer Memorial, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Annual Public Safety and Community Appreciation Luncheon.

Today, we take time to remember the courage by which peace officers live their lives, and we remember the tragic loss of those from our community who died in the line of duty:

CHP Officer Lucas Forrest Chellew, who died in February 2017;

Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff Jason Allen Garner who died in May 2017; and,

Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff Robert Allan French who died in August 2017.

The names of all 93 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 30th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2018. So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be livestreamed beginning at 5:00 p.m. PDT on May 13th. To register for this free online event, visit www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2018.

For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.

To access the FBI’s 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, please visit www.fbi.gov.