The History Behind Police Week
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law designating May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. The law was amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, signed by President Bill Clinton, directing that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15 each year. While the actual dates change from year to year, National Police Week is always the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes May 15.
The week serves as a time of remembrance for those lives lost in the line of duty along with honoring law enforcement’s commitment to their communities. National Police Week typically includes thousands of visitors, survivors, families of officers who all travel to Washington DC to participate in ceremonial and memorial events. Due to covid restrictions, the event has been postponed until October of 2021. In-person events are planned for October 13-17, 2021, in Washington, DC to offer the same respect, honor, remembrance, and community support as National Police Week, while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. To stay up to date with the events taking place this year please click, here.
Illinois Police Officers Memorial
This May the 100 Club had the honor to attend the Illinois Police Officers Memorial on May 6th in Springfield, Illinois, where we were able to pay our respects to the brave men and women who we lost in the line of duty in 2019 and 2020. During the Memorial, Illinois State Treasurer, Mike Frerichs quoted Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to explain the sacrifice the deceased officers made for their community and why it’s important to remember them. “It is rather for us to be here, dedicated to the great task remaining before us. That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion. That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain,” Lincoln said. The Club will continue to keep our 100 Club family growing and continue giving back to our first responders and their families this month and beyond. Help us continue the tradition of caring for those who care for us and visit our Donation Page.
