We Salute You

By Courtney Ann Jackson

Never let them walk alone was a theme throughout Friday’s 28th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on the West Front of the United States Capitol. The service held by the Fraternal Order of Police is the capstone event of National Police Week. It was in honor of one hundred and thirty three law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. More than 25,000 officers and the surviving family members and friends of fallen officers traveled to Washington to attend.

Keynote speaker, Attorney General Eric Holder said in regards to this year’s Police Week, “I have been reminded over the course of these events that while our nation’s law enforcement community consists of many different departments and agencies across all levels of government…we are really all one family, all one team, dedicated to the singular goal of making our streets safer and our country, more secure.”

According to introductory remarks by Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police President, Chuck Canterbury, National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation to make May 15th the official day of recognition for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the performance of their duty.

Holder said, “These heroes will live on in the homes and neighborhoods of millions of law abiding citizens across this country whose streets are safer and whose freedoms more secure because of the sacrifice of these fallen officers. And most of all, they will live on in the hearts of their surviving loved ones, those who we honor today.”