National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: A History of the Washington D.C. Memorial and a List of its New Inductees

May 13th 2007, marks the 19th Anniversary of the Annual Candlelight Vigil. A vigil to honor the Law Enforcement professionals who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect those they served. Each year during the vigil, names of Fallen Officers are read and dedicated to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. In 2006 145 officers were killed in the Line of Duty. There are 237 names from years previous 1827-2005 scheduled to be dedicated at this years ceremony. More than 20,000 Law Enforcement Officers and family members gather for this ceremony each year. This vigil is a key part of National Police Week, which starts this year on May 8th with the 13th Annual Blue Mass. There are several other events that occur to honor the fallen as well as those police officers still serving everyday with unmatched dedication. These Events Include the 8th annual 50k relay race, the Police Unity Tour (http:// www.policeunitytour.com), the 12th annual 'Law Ride' a motorcycle procession from RFK to The National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial, the 5th annual Steve Young National Honor Guard Competition, and the National Police Survivors Conference. There are several Wreath Laying Ceremonies as well from organizations such as the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary. There will also be the 12th annual Emerald Society Pipe band March and Service. Of course there is the 26th annual National Peace Officer Memorial Day Service hosted by the Grand Lodge of the F.O.P.

National Police Week is possible only through the cooperative efforts of organizations like the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, Concerns of Police Survivors(C.O.P.S.), and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation (NLEOMF).