MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears and the Merrimac Police Department are honoring law enforcement officers across the country during National Police Week.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. It was established by a joint resolution of Congress in the same year and honors law enforcement officers across the country, paying special recognition to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day on Sunday, May 15, Merrimac Police will join agencies nationwide in flying its flags at half-staff to honor officers who have given their lives in service to their communities.
“I want to recognize the members of our department and the great work they do each and every day,” said Chief Shears. “Their effort and commitment to upholding the best policing practices does not go unnoticed. I also want to extend my deepest condolences to families who have lost an officer in the line of duty, we as a department salute their service.”
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there were 617 law enforcement line of duty deaths in the U.S. in 2021, 439 of which are attributed to COVID-19. So far in 2022, 105 line of duty deaths have been recorded.
Each year, hundreds of names of officers killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the names are read aloud during a Candlelight Vigil. This year, the names of 619 fallen officers were added to the Memorial, including 472 officers who died in 2021 and an additional 147 officers who died in years before 2021. The 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil will take place on Friday, May 13.
Thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week to pay their respects to fallen officers through a number of scheduled events. The week also honors the family members, friends and fellow officers of fallen officers.
###