U.S. Department
of Justice
The U.S. Attorney's Office For The Western District Of North Carolina Pays Tribute To Fallen Law Enforcement Officers In Observance Of National Police Week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Communities across the United States gather during National Police Week to remember law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, to share their stories of courage and sacrifice, and to honor their memory.
“During National Police Week we pay tribute to America’s fallen law enforcement offices who made the ultimate sacrifice. Together with our fallen heroes’ families, friends and fellow officers we come together to grieve for their loss, celebrate their lives and honor their legacy,” said Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
This year, the names of 371 U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., including the names of 158 officers who were killed in 2018, and 213 officers who died earlier in history but whose stories of sacrifice had not been previously documented. North Carolina State Trooper Brandon Peterson will be inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Trooper Peterson passed away unexpectedly on April 7, 2017. At the time of his death, Trooper Peterson was assigned to Highway Patrol Troop G, which covers Yancey, Mitchell, Avery and Madison Counties.
U.S. Attorney Murray also stated, “Along with remembering the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, National Police Week is a time to recognize the contributions of all police officers from around the country, who put themselves at harm’s way each day to protect our communities and our neighborhoods. I want the entire law enforcement community to know that they have our unwavering support and appreciation.”
The names of all 371 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019 to be held on the National Mall.