Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Kick Off Week of Remembrance

Law enforcement agencies representing local, state, and federal agencies joined together today to kick off the annual Peace Officer Memorial Week. May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been designated National Police Week since October 1, 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed into law Public Law 87-726.

It was not until May 15, 1982, that the first National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service was held in Washington, D.C. Activities during National Police week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and COPS’ National Police Survivors’ Seminars as well as the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service. The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service on May 15 draws thousands of officers and citizens from across the nation.

Today, vehicles from various agencies were adorned with blue ribbons to show support for law enforcement officers that have passed away during the past year. The highlight of the special week will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, as representatives from these agencies will gather in a special memorial service to be held at the Tennessee Amphitheater at the World’s Fair Park. The memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m. 

The annual memorial service will provide fellow officers, friends, and family members an opportunity to honor their loved ones who had committed their life to protecting the citizens we serve. Colonel Mike Walker of the Tennessee Highway Patrol will provide the memorial message.

On Saturday, May 9, 2009, the second annual Law Enforcement Memorial Run will kickoff at 8:00 a.m. on Neyland Drive at Volunteer Landing. Several hundred runners will participate and show their support for law enforcement officers in East Tennessee. Proceeds from the run will benefit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund as well as the local Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. 

Agencies participating include:

The Knoxville Police Department                     
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office
The Tennessee Highway Patrol            
The Tennessee Valley Authority
The U.S. Marshal’s Service                 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation     
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
The University of Tennessee Medical Center Police
The University of Tennessee Police Department
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
The Fraternal Order of Police