U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez Recognizes Police Week In The Middle District Of Florida

Tampa, Florida - In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez joins the Department of Justice in recognizing the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. This year’s observance will take place from Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020. During this time, communities throughout the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) will pause to honor fallen officers and show support for their families. In addition, multiple agencies will engage in virtual events and campaigns to strengthen their connections and commitments between officers and citizens. The MDFL is home to more than 160 law enforcement agencies.

“Our law enforcement officers here in the Middle District of Florida are among the finest and first to respond to crises on a daily basis,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Because of their unwavering commitment, dedication, and courage, our communities are poised to face and overcome any challenge – no matter how great or small. Today, this week and every day, we say thank you for your service and sacrifice to protect and keep us safe. ”

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 falls on May 15 every year, 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 have sworn to protect and 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 three officers here in the Middle District of Florida – Lieutenant Daniel Duane Hinton (Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Myers), Officer Anthony Neri (Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel), and Sergeant Tracy Leslie Vickers (Florida Highway Patrol, Orlando).

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.

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