Peace Officers Memorial Day in United States

Peace Officers Memorial Day is held annually in the United States on May 15 in honor of federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. It is observed in conjunction with Police Week.

Peace Officers Memorial Day honors federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

©iStockphoto.com/Mikhail Bistrov

What do people do?

Many people in the United States will pay tribute to officers who lost their lives or were injured in their jobs. According to Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), about 140-160 officers are killed in the line of duty each year and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the tragic loss.

Many businesses and community members across the nation, especially those who lost family members, friends or colleagues who were local officers, will lower their flags in remembrance of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Some police departments hold an annual law enforcement memorial ceremony on this day.

Each year, the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary organizes a national memorial service on the day, drawing thousands of people from many parts of the United States. The service is followed by the placement of a memorial wreath at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. On this day, people are also reminded of the need to be vigilant against all forms of crime.

Public Life

Peace Officers Memorial Day is an observance but it is not a federal public holiday in the United States. Some people may take some time off work, such as an extended lunch break if a memorial service is held at noon, to attend a memorial service on this day.

Background

The idea of a Peace Officers Memorial Day came into effect on October 1, 1961, when Congress asked the president to designate May 15 to honor law enforcement officers. President John F Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. Each year, the president of the United States proclaims May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week.

According to the Legal Information Institute, the president is requested to issue a proclamation to: designate May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day; to direct government officials to display the United States flag at half staff on all government buildings; and to invite state and local governments and the people to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Peace Officers Memorial Day Observances

Related holidays

• Memorial Day ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Saturday, January 19, 2013, Monday, April 22, 2013, Monday, April 29, 2013, Friday, May 10, 2013

Other holidays in May 2013 in United States

• Law Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
• Loyalty Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
• National Day of Prayer ―Thursday, May 2, 2013
• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• World Press Freedom Day ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• Rhode Island Independence Day ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Holy Saturday ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Cinco de Mayo ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• National Nurses Day ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War ―Wednesday, May 8, 2013
• Truman Day ―Wednesday, May 8, 2013
• Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 9, 2013
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Friday, May 10, 2013
• World Migratory Bird Day ―Saturday, May 11, 2013
• Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Shavuot ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• International Day of Families ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• National Defense Transportation Day ―Friday, May 17, 2013
• World Information Society Day ―Friday, May 17, 2013
• Armed Forces Day ―Saturday, May 18, 2013
• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 19, 2013
• Whit Monday ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• World Autoimmune Arthritis Day ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development ―Tuesday, May 21, 2013
• National Maritime Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Emergency Medical Services for Children Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• International Day for Biological Diversity ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Harvey Milk Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Towel Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• African Liberation Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• National Missing Children's Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• Trinity Sunday ―Sunday, May 26, 2013
• Jefferson Davis Birthday ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• Memorial Day ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers ―Wednesday, May 29, 2013
• Corpus Christi ―Thursday, May 30, 2013
• World No Tobacco Day ―Friday, May 31, 2013