U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes National Police Week

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In honor of National Police Week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office honors and remembers the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the courage and unwavering devotion of law enforcement officers to the communities they swore to serve.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

“This is a time for all of us to honor and pay tribute to our law enforcement heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our communities,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. “We will never forget their sacrifice and we will keep their families and fellow officers in our hearts and minds.”

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 falls on May 15 every year, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019. Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

Three of the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty being remembered this week are from the Eastern District of California— Officer Natalie Corona of the Davis Police Department, Officer Tara O’Sullivan of the Sacramento Police Department, and Deputy Brian Ishmael of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department.  The United States Attorney’s Office brought federal charges in full cooperation and consultation with the El Dorado District Attorney’s Office related to the marijuana cultivation that resulted in the death of Deputy Ishmael.  In November 2019, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging four men with marijuana cultivation and firearms offenses.

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be live streamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please go to https://nleomf.org/.  To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.