In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 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, Public Law 103-322, 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 as a tribute to the more than 16,000 Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. This is the rarest of honors. The only other regularly scheduled day that flags fly half-staff is Memorial Day. Like those in our armed services, our fallen Law Enforcement Officers died while protecting the lives and freedom of others.

While the actual dates change from year to year, National Police Week is always the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes May 10th.

This combines with the observance of Police Officers’ Memorial Day, which is on May 15th, to commemorate fallen and disabled Police Officers.

Please remember to lower the flags at your home, agency or business on May 15th. Encourage those in your community to follow the government's lead as we recognize the service and sacrifice of our Law Enforcement Officers.

Fly "The Blue" during National Police Week

Blue Ribbon Campaign

During National Police Week, COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors) encourages the display of blue ribbons on car antennas.

COPS distributes over 1,500,000 blue ribbons prior to National Police Week to law enforcement agencies to display on cruiser antennas. Law enforcement personnel are encouraged to tie blue ribbons to cruiser antennas. Citizens are enco

uraged to tie blue ribbons to their car antennas. These blue ribbons are a reminder of law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice and in honor of those men and women who serve their communities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year in and year out.

Any strip of royal blue ribbon will work. If you are a member of the law enforcement community, you may fax a request to be added to the Blue Ribbon mailing list. Include your agency, contact name, mailing address, and quantity of ribbons requested. Fax requests ONLY will be accepted, with a minimum of 25 ribbons and a maximum of 500 per request. Fax your request to 573-346-1414.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
http://www.nleomf.com/

COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors)
http://www.nationalcops.org/