U.S. Attorney Kavanaugh Recognizes Police Week, Attends Fallen Officer Memorial in Charlottesville

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.— In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.

“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.”

“Each year during Police Week we gather together as a law enforcement community to pay tribute to those men and women who have sacrificed their lives keeping our communities safe,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today. “Police work has never been more complex and we have never been more thankful each and every day to those who take the oath and walk a beat not for glory but rather a sense a duty.”

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.  

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

Throughout the week, United States Attorney Kavanaugh will be attending memorial services throughout the Western District of Virginia honoring fallen officers.

On Monday, United States Attorney Kavanaugh attended a fallen officers memorial on the downtown mall in Charlottesville, Virginia. At that ceremony, officers from the City of Charlottesville Police Department and the Virginia State Police were honored for giving their lives during service to their communities.

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 wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 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/.

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