U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich recognizes National Police Week

BILLINGS — In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana, recognizes the public service and sacrifice of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed from Sunday, May 12, through Saturday, May 18.

“This week, we pay special tribute to the men and women in law enforcement who selflessly risk their lives every day to protect us. Far too many have sacrificed their lives to make our communities safer, and we honor their legacies and bravery by reaffirming our commitment to every law enforcement officer making our communities safer. On behalf of all of us in the United States Attorney’s Office, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for all they do every day,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the names of 282 officers killed in the line of duty were added this year to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. These 282 officers include 118 officers who were killed during 2023. An additional 164 officers died in years prior to 2023. Many of their stories of sacrifice had been lost until now. Currently, there are 24,067 names, dating back to the first known death in 1786, engraved on the memorial.

The names of the fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Monday, May 13, during the 36^th Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. Those who wish to view the vigil live online can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://youtu.be/_AJEOg_3npQ. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website at https://nleomf.org/

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