U.S. Attorney Waldref Recognizes Police Week in Eastern Washington

Spokane, Washington: In honor of National Police Week, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed from May 14 through May 20, 2023.

At the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, which was held earlier today at the Nation’s Capital, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, “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 love the most.” The Attorney General continued, “These are individuals who answered the call to serve from a wide variety of backgrounds bringing different perspectives and different experiences to their work. . . . Each made the same promise, to serve and protect their communities. They promised that when a call for help came, they would answer. They promised that when a crisis arose in their community, they would respond. They promised that nothing, no danger, no threat, would stop them from showing up when they were needed the most. Each of the individuals we honor today kept that promise.”

U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref joined the Attorney General in thanking law enforcement. “Today and throughout this week, we thank our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement officers for their unrelenting commitment to protect us all and keep the communities of Eastern Washington safe and strong,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “These courageous men and women routinely put their lives on the line for ours, and we are extremely grateful for their sacrifice. We all owe them our deepest gratitude and respect – and not just for this week alone, but each and every day that these brave individuals serve our communities.”

President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation in 1962 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. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 332 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2022. In the State of Washington, five officers died last year in the line of duty.

In proclaiming May 14 through May 20, 2023, as Police Week, President Biden “call[ed] upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities and salute our Nation’s brave law enforcement officers and remember their peace officer brothers and sisters who have given their last full measure of devotion in the line of duty.” President Biden further “encourage[d] all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.”

Additional information and resources regarding this year’s Police Week is available at: https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2023/.