AG Sessions and USA Davis Recognize Law Enforcement Service and Sacrifice During National Police Week

BOISE – Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Bart M. Davis 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.

Since 1995, Idaho Peace Officers Memorial Ceremonies have honored Idaho law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. These ceremonies are a poignant, annual expression of gratitude to honor fallen friends whose end of watch occurred in service to their communities. In Idaho, we have lost 71 officers since 1883. This year, at the Idaho Peace Officers Memorial at 700 S Stratford Drive, Meridian, Idaho, a Candlelight Vigil will be held on May 16, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. and a Memorial Ceremony will be on May 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

“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.”

“As United States Attorney for the District of Idaho, I am honored to work closely with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers,” said Bart Davis. “I see firsthand how the men and women of law enforcement fulfill their sworn duty to uphold justice every day. I am grateful for the professionalism, dedication and quiet courage they continually demonstrate under demanding and often dangerous circumstances.”

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 officer were killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts.

For the full comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks and selected assaults resulting in injury, please see the 2017 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, which is linked below.

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.

National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th, give us the opportunity to pause and to honor these brave public servants, to reflect on their commitment and valor, and to honor the families who grieve their loss. Consider attending one of the many events to be held throughout Idaho this week. And please join me in thanking all the wonderful women and men who put themselves in harm’s way daily.

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.

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