Honoring National Police Week

HAMMOND— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson salutes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.  This year, National Police Week is observed Sunday, May 12 through Saturday, May 18, 2024.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Every year, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, D.C. to participate in planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Based on preliminary data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), approximately 136 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty nationwide during 2023.  This is a sizeable decrease of approximately 39% from the 224 officers killed in 2022. The decrease of line-of-duty deaths for 2023 has occurred in most major categories that are tracked, including another year of substantial reductions in Covid-19 related deaths. Of the 136 officers killed in the line of duty in 2023, 47 officers died as result of gun fire. 

United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said, “I am grateful for the work law enforcement officials undertake every day to protect the citizens in their communities.  Running toward danger to protect others is one of those selfless acts which deserves the utmost honor and respect.  It is my solemn duty to honor all law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting others.”

Tragically, seven (7) law enforcement officers from Indiana were killed in the line of duty in 2023.  The names of these seven (7) officers, as well as the names of seven (7) other officers who died in Indiana in other years will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial as part of this year’s ceremony.

The names of  the fallen officers have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and will be read on Monday, May 13, 2024, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C.  There are currently 24,067 names engraved on the Memorial.

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