National Peace Officers Memorial Day

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week determining the dates for National Police Week 2011 — Sunday, May 15th through Saturday, May 21st.

At the conclusion of the 30^th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol, leaders of the Fraternal Order of Police, the FOP Auxiliary, Concerns of Police Survivors and the Memorial Fund brought the wreath from the Capitol to the Memorial to remain under the watch of honor guards from all over the country for the rest of the evening.

Hundreds of honor guard members from across the country, flanked both sides of E Street NW leading to the Memorial. The wreath was preceded by the U.S. Honor Flag hosted by the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Many folks spent the afternoon and evening at the Memorial's walls. There were laughter and tears, handshakes and hugs, lots of blue tape, and thousands of name rubbings.

At midnight, a lone piper walked through the Memorial as he played, and the flags were returned to full staff signaling the end of Peace Officers Memorial Day.