(KNSI) — Thousands of law enforcement officers will descend on Washington, D.C. this week to mark National Police Week.
John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week. The time is meant to honor, remember, and support police officers.
The annual memorial service began in 1982 with roughly 120 suvivors and supporters of law enforcement gathering in Senate Park. Today, there is a series of events planned throughout the week with anywhere between 25,000 and 40,000 people attending from departments across the country and even around the world.
This year’s events will include an arrival ceremony, candlelight vigil, roll call of the fallen, an honor guard and pipe band competition, a survivors’ conference and a memorial service.
Sadly, three new names will be etched into the Police Officer’s Memorial Wall in St. Paul this year. Officer Paul Elmstrand, Officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter paramedic Adam Finseth were all killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at a home in Burnsville on February 18th. Last year, 44-year-old Pope County deputy Joshua Owen was killed while also responding to a domestic disturbance. A few weeks later, St. Croix County, Wisconsin sheriff’s deputy Katie Liesing was shot to death while investigating a crash. Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin was killed last summer in an ambush that is believed to have prevented a mass shooting.
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