National Police Week

[Intercooler]

Again this year, law enforcement officers from across the United States, and from around the world, are gathering in Washington, D.C., for National Police Week.  National Police Week occurs each year during the week of May 15, and is organized to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement.  Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition, honor and remembrance to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty while providing for the safety and protection of others.

This year, the names of 286 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM) in Washington, D.C.  These 286 names include 100 officers who were killed during 2013, plus 186 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

The NLEOM honors federal, state and local law enforcers for their dedication and sacrifice.  The memorial features bronze sculptures depicting a series of adult lions protecting its cubs, symbolizing the protective role of law enforcement officers and blue-gray marble walls inscribed with the names of more than 17,500 officers who have been killed in the line of duty. 

Facts related to the law enforcement profession:

·         There are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure ever.  About 12 percent of those are women.

·         Crime fighting has taken its toll. Since the first recorded police death in 1791, there have been over 19,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Currently, there are over 19,660 names engraved on the walls of the NLEOM.

·         The 1920s were the deadliest decade in law enforcement history, when a total of 2,318 officers died, or an average of almost 232 each year. The deadliest year in law enforcement history was 1930, when 290 officers were killed. That figure dropped dramatically in the 1990s, to an average of 161 per year.

·         The deadliest day in law enforcement history was September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed.

·         On average, more than 189 police officers are assaulted every day in this country, resulting in 62,000 assaults yearly with 21,000 injuries.  Many of those injuries are permanently disabling.

·         On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the U.S. every 57 hours.

·         Two police officers are shot every day in the United States.

This week, please take a moment and give thanks to a police officer for his/her contribution to our society through their dedicated and selfless efforts in enforcing the laws of our cities and states.

[4949shooter]

Thanks for posting this!