2025 National Police Week Highlights
This year, during National Police Week, thousands of officers, survivors of the fallen and citizen supporters came to Washington, D.C., to honor the men and women who serve and protect our nation.
The History of National Police Week
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week surrounding it as National Police Week.
This is a time for the nation to honor all law enforcement officers who serve and protect our nation, and to pay special tribute to our fallen heroes and their families. The first National Peace Officers Memorial Day service in Washington, D.C., was held in 1982 by the Fraternal Order of Police and their Auxiliary. It has grown each year since, with tens of thousands of law enforcement officers, surviving family members of the fallen and citizen supporters now coming to our Nation’s Capital each year for National Police Week ceremonies and other activities.
National Police Week Interview with CBB Founder and CEO Craig Floyd
In a “Frontlines of Freedom” podcast interview, CBB founder and CEO Craig Floyd discusses the importance of National Police Week, and the history of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the National Law Enforcement Museum and Citizens Behind the Badge. He explains why the flags of the United States should be lowered to half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), and reports that Congressional resolutions are being introduced during National Police Week to express support for law enforcement. The interview can be heard at Frontlines of Freedom 05-10-2025 Show # 907 Hour 1 – Frontlines of Freedom ™ starting at the 25:00 mark.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial has become the centerpiece of National Police Week since its dedication in 1991. The Memorial is located in Judiciary Square (400 block of E Street, NW), just a few blocks off the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol. This year, during National Police Week, 345 new names were officially added to the Memorial’s marble walls. Of that total, 147 of those fallen heroes died in the line of duty in 2024 and 198 died in earlier years but were only recently discovered. There are now a total of 24,412 names inscribed on the Memorial, dating back to the first known officer fatality in 1786. During National Police Week, the walls came alive with the touching and very personal mementos left on the Memorial in honor of a fallen loved one or colleague. They are stark reminders that an officer’s death is about far more than just names and numbers. And there is consolation knowing that heroes live forever. As long as this Memorial stands, these fallen officers will always to be honored and remembered.
The National Law Enforcement Museum
In 2018, the National Law Enforcement Museum opened right across the street from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It has become a popular attraction in our Nation’s Capital, especially during National Police Week. It is an architectural wonder dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement—past, present and future—through an artifact collection numbering more than 25,000 objects, and immersive and experiential exhibits. Thousands of visitors came during National Police Week, and for the officers and their families it was an important reminder of the proud and honored profession they now serve.
The Police Unity Tour
In 1997, as part of National Police Week,18 police officers rode some 300 miles on bicycles from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It has grown every year since. This year, more than 2,000 law enforcement officers and survivors of the fallen from eight different chapters participated. They call it the Police Unity Tour and their motto is: “We Ride For Those Who Died.” Each rider wore a remembrance bracelet in honor of a fallen officer. They also raised money to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This year, on May 12, the Police Unity Tour completed their journey and presented the Memorial Fund with a check for $2.2 million, bringing their total donations since the outset to more than $40 million. To learn more about the Police Unity Tour, listen to the “Heroes Behind the Badge” podcast interview with founder and CEO Pat Montuore:
Police K9 Memorial Service
On May 12, the National Police Dog Foundation held their annual Police K9 Memorial Service at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The memorial service included a wreath-laying ceremony and the placement of red roses on the Memorial medallion to honor the memory of fallen police K9s who have given their lives in the line of duty.
The Candlelight Vigil
The 37th annual National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) Candlelight Vigil was held on the National Mall on May 13. Rain poured down throughout the ceremony, but that did not stop thousands from attending this very powerful event. The names of the 345 new additions to the Memorial walls were read by the Memorial Fund’s Board of Directors and other dignitaries and law enforcement leaders from across the nation. CBB founder and CEO Craig W. Floyd was one of the name readers. At a reception prior to the Vigil, Craig received the Memorial Fund’s top honor, the “John Ashcroft Distinguished Service Award,” for his 34 years as the founding CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies March and Service
The National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies (NCLEES) was established in 1995. The objective was to unite all public safety Emerald Societies in order to develop fraternalism amongst its members. One of their highlights of the year is the Annual Memorial March and Service they conduct on May 14 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It began with a march from near the U.S. Capitol to the Memorial where a service was held that included dignitary speeches, pipe tunes from mass bands and concluded with the placement of two wreaths at the center of the Memorial. The March and Service honored all fallen officers and paid a special tribute to those of Irish-American descent.
National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service
In 1982, the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the FOP Auxiliary started the annual tradition of conducting a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Peace Officers’ Memorial Day to honor all fallen law enforcement heroes and to pay special tribute to those who died in the line of duty during the prior year. On May 15, the 44th National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service was held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Traditionally, the President of the United States is the keynote speaker. This year, President Trump was traveling in the Middle East, so Vice President JD Vance delivered the keynote address. As the name of each fallen officer from the prior year was read, their family members placed a flower on the memorial wreath.
Concerns of Police Survivors
Established in 1984, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) works to rebuild the shattered lives of surviving family members and co-workers affected by a line-of-duty death. During National Police Week in Washington, D.C., they hosted the National Police Survivors’ Conference, which included grief counseling sessions, a Blue Honor Gala, and other ceremonies and activities. Thousands of survivors attended this year’s events.
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