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Press Release

U.S. ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES NATIONAL POLICE WEEK - May 12-18, 2019

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont

U.S. ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
May 12-18, 2019


U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan and members of her office will honor the service and sacrifice of federal, state and local law enforcement on the occasion of National Police Week, which occurs this year from Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.

During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in protecting our communities.  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. 

U.S. Attorney Nolan stated: “As the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state and local law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks.  We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation. We are so very fortunate to live in the Green Mountain State.  Vermont is an extraordinarily attractive place to reside, and that is due, in no small part, to the tireless efforts of officers at all levels of law enforcement to keep us safe.  Quietly and consistently, they put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities.  They make decisions every day to stand on the front lines of our campaigns to combat violence, unlawful firearms activity, drug trafficking, and other dangerous crime.  This is a tremendous daily sacrifice – on the part of officers, to be sure – but also on the part of their families and loved ones, who support them and hope for their safe return home each day.  We must never take for granted their sacrifices and their heroic work.” 

This week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold its annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony to recognize and celebrate the exceptional work of Vermont investigators and officers. With these awards, we honor the outstanding work of law enforcement officers at all levels in the pursuit of justice and in support of the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018. 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. Although there were a number of injuries in the line of duty, thankfully Vermont did not lose an officer last year. 

The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31stAnnual 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.

The U.S. Attorney will attend a ceremony to honor Vermont’s fallen officers on Friday, May 17th at 2:00pm at the Vermont Police Academy. Since 1814, Vermont has lost 36 officers in the line of duty. The bravery and selflessness of these officers cost them their lives. They made this ultimate sacrifice so that Vermonters would be safer. This ceremony is open to the public. 
 
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.

Updated May 13, 2019

Topic
Community Outreach