Fallen Missouri Law Enforcement Officers Honored During National Police Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement. The week will be observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.

“Each year, during National Police Week, we honor those officers and agents who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the line of duty in service to our community,” Moore said. “National Police Week is also an opportunity to express our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and agents. We recognize their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

National Police Week is a week set aside to honor and remember law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty while serving in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and National Police Week is held annually to commemorate fallen officers.

“As our country recognizes National Police Week, the Justice Department joins families and communities in remembering the members of the law enforcement community who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the public,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.  “Policing is difficult and dangerous, yet time and time again, law enforcement officers answer the call, showing up for their communities when they are needed the most.  Their devotion to duty is matched only by that of their loved ones who make daily sacrifices to support them.  The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to help provide our law enforcement partners with the resources they need to carry out their noble work on behalf of the public.”

U.S. Attorney Moore recently attended the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department’s memorial service honoring the 120 officers in department history who died in the line of duty.

Another event held in conjunction with National Police Week is the inclusion of the names of fallen officers on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. On Monday, May 13, the names of more than 280 officers killed in the line of duty in 2024 who have been added to the memorial’s wall were read during a Candlelight Vigil. To view a recording of the livestream of this event, visit https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil/.

The fallen officers who were memorialized include five members of the law enforcement community from Missouri:

• Charles Lee Burns, Camden County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department;
• Mason Evans Griffith, Hermann, Mo., Police Department;
• James Matthew Muhlbauer, Kansas City, Mo., Police Department;
• Kelly Bernard Rolando, Missouri Department of Corrections;
• Jason Scott Pulliam, Missouri Department of Corrections.

To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.