May 12, 2011

National Police Week 2011

Honoring Those Who Serve

Thousands of people attended a candlelight vigil Friday night at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. in May 2011.

Thousands of people attended a candlelight vigil Friday night at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

05/16/11

Fifty-six law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty during 2010, according to statistics released today. By region, 22 victims were killed in the South, 18 in the West, 10 in the Midwest, three in the Northeast, and three in Puerto Rico. The total number of officers feloniously killed in 2010 was eight more than the 48 officers slain in 2009. Details

05/13/11

Thousands of people gathered in front of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty. The candlelight vigil included a reading of the 316 names being added to the memorial this year. 

Representative Steny H. Hoyer, left, and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller at the candlelight vigil for fallen law enforcement officers in May 2011.
Representative Steny H. Hoyer, left, and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller at the candlelight vigil.

In a podcast, Special Agent Jeff Blanton of the FBI’s Office of Law Enforcement Coordination discusses National Police Week. “It is truly is a fraternity, it’s a brotherhood in law enforcement,” Blanton says. 

05/12/11

The FBI joins the nation in observing National Police Week from May 15-21. Events kick off in Washington, D.C. on May 13 with a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. In the coming days, we will be updating this space with additional coverage of the events.



In a video message released May 12, Director Robert S. Mueller said, “On behalf of the men and women of the FBI, I want to personally recognize and thank each of you individually, and all of your departments collectively, as we work together to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. Today, law enforcement officers from around the world attend events in Washington, D.C. to honor colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

For more information on 2011 National Police Week activities, go to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial’s website.