United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue Recognizes National Police Week

BROOKLYN, NY— In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue salutes the service and sacrifice of federal, state and local law enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” stated 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.”

“During National Police Week, I join the staff of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in extending our thanks and deepest appreciation to the members of law enforcement who perform extraordinary and selfless service by protecting our communities from every threat imaginable, including an invisible virus,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “We will never forget those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we remember, too, their families who have suffered the profound loss of a parent, child or sibling who chose a vocation to serve their fellow New Yorkers.”

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.  

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 law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

• 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, including New York City Police Department Detective Brian Simonsen in the Eastern District of New York.  At least 41 members of the New York City Police Department, one member of the Sands Point Police Department and one volunteer with the Suffolk County Auxiliary Police have died from the Coronavirus.
   

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.

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 livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT).  The candlelight vigil can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.

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