U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop Recognizes Law Enforcement’s Service and Sacrifice During National Police Week

Spokane – In honor of National Police Week, William D. Hyslop, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, asks all citizens, “When you see a law enforcement officer, thank them for their service. This week, we urge everyone to recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.”

National Police Week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, pay tribute to those who have died in the line of duty in 2019 by watching the virtual candlelight vigil sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF

On Friday, May 15, 2020, stop for a moment to remember our fallen officers on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“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.”

U.S. Attorney Hyslop said, “At the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, we have the great privilege to work closely on a daily basis with federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement officers in pursuit of justice. They are prepared at any moment to put their lives at risk for our community’s safety. In 2019, one deputy sheriff was shot and killed in the line of duty in Eastern Washington. One officer death is too many. Nationally, the names of 135 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. I ask you to take time this week to remember our fallen law enforcement officers throughout the country, and their families and loved ones who live with their loss.”

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 one officer here in the Eastern District of Washington. 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 online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.