U.S. Attorney Recognizes the Sacrifice of Law Enforcement Officers during National Police Week

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores recognizes the service, courage and sacrifice made by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.

As part of the observance, U.S. Attorney Shores is honored to speak at the Law Enforcement Memorial Service, scheduled for May 14, at 11 am, in Chandler Park. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 188 and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office host the annual event to honor and remember the legacy of fallen officers.

In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, 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. 

“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country. We recognize their sacrifice, loyalty, and commitment to fighting for that which is right. Police officers are the peacekeepers and protectors of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “Police officers, investigators, detectives, and agents put on their uniform and go out to face danger without question or expectation of thanks. For that and for all they do, law enforcement have my sincerest thanks and appreciation.”

According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018. In Oklahoma, former Comanche County Drug Task Force investigator Timothy Dale Cole died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in 2007 when assisting the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics serve a warrant in Lawton. His resulting spinal cord injury rendered him paraplegic, and he passed away due to complications on Aug. 4, 2018. Timothy Cole is survived by his wife, three children, and eight grandchildren.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/ released this week by the FBI.

The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31^st   Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019. No tickets are required and everyone is welcome. For additional information, please call 202-737-3400.

The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.

For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.