PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association honors the law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty during National Police Week.
National Police Week takes place this year from May 14-20. 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.
In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, police agencies nationwide flew their flags at half-staff to honor officers who have given their lives in service to their communities. A total of 246 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2022 and 42 have been killed so far in 2023.
Rhode Island has recorded 54 total line of duty deaths, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“While the departments and loved ones who have lost an officer in the line of duty remember them everyday, National Police Week is a time for all of us to honor the memories and legacies of those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Executive Director Sid Wordell said. “On behalf of Rhode Island’s Police Chiefs, I also wish to recognize all of the current law enforcement officers across the state who have dedicated their careers to the safety of their communities.”
Every year, 25,000 to 40,000 law enforcement officers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. to pay their respects during a number of planned events. National Police Week events offer honor, remembrance, and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and others to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
This year, the names of 556 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The names included 224 officers who were killed during 2022, and an additional 332 officers who died in previous years. There are currently 23,785 names engraved on the Memorial.
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