Kansas U.S. Attorney Honors National Police Week

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – National Police Week is a time for all Kansans to stop and remember the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who do the difficult and dangerous work of keeping making our communities safer, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

“Law enforcement officers don’t run from danger – they run toward it,” McAllister said. “I want to commend them for their courage, skill and professionalism. They make sacrifices to benefit us all, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice. The excellent men and women in blue deserve our support and gratitude.”

McAllister called on Kansans to join him in honoring the memories of the law enforcement officers fallen in the line of duty and to pray for their families. According to the FBI’s national statistics, 93 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2017.

In October 1962, Congress passed, and President Kennedy signed, a joint resolution declaring May 15 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.

During Police Week, which is being observed this year from May 13 through May 19, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made a statement to law enforcement officers.

 “My goal is to support you, to empower you, and to unleash you and your law enforcement partners to apply the good and lawful policies that are proven to make our communities safer,” Sessions said. The attorney general went on to talk about the need to focus on proven policies that reduced crime all over this country: community-based policing, incarcerating serious repeat criminals, new technologies, more officers, and more prosecutors.