Remember The Fallen
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May 11-17, 2014 |
"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. 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.
Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement.
That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 160 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, over 19,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.
The Memorial features two curving, 304-foot-long blue-gray marble walls. Carved on these walls are the names of more than 20,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1791. Unlike many other memorials in Washington, DC, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is ever-changing: new names of fallen officers are added to the monument each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week."
Each year during National Police Week a candlelight vigil is held at the police memorial. This year it will be at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 13. If you would like to see the candlelight vigil you can find a link at http://www.nleomf.org/ to watch it online.
On May 15, National Peace Officers Memorial Day, the members of the Riverside Police Department will remember our fallen brothers and sisters by wearing a "mourning band" on our badges. Mourning bands are a piece of black fabric that stretch across the center of our badges.
The members of the Riverside Police Department would also like to take this time to express our gratitude to those of you who support us. Your support does not go unnoticed and it is truly appreciated. Thank you for standing beside us!
