Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2025

Each year in May, the United States takes a moment to reflect, honor, and commemorate the brave individuals who serve and protect our communities — the law enforcement officers. Peace Officers Memorial Day, observed on May 15, and the surrounding National Police Week, are dedicated to remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty and recognizing the ongoing service and sacrifice of police officers across the nation. In 2025, these commemorations remain as vital and solemn as ever, as communities come together to pay tribute to the men and women in blue.

Origins and Significance

Peace Officers Memorial Day was established in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as a day to honor federal, state, and local officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. The accompanying National Police Week, held in the week of May 15, was initiated by a joint resolution of Congress. These observances are not merely ceremonial; they are moments for national reflection and collective gratitude for those who uphold the law at the risk of their own lives.

The official purpose of Peace Officers Memorial Day is to “pay tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or who have been disabled in the line of duty.” Over time, the observance has evolved into a broader week-long tribute, which includes memorial events, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives.

Events During Police Week 2025

In 2025, National Police Week will be observed from Sunday, May 11 through Saturday, May 17. The heart of the week is the Peace Officers Memorial Day on Thursday, May 15. Activities and ceremonies are organized by a coalition of law enforcement groups, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Major events include:

• The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service: Held on the U.S. Capitol lawn in Washington, D.C., this solemn service is attended by thousands of law enforcement officers, surviving family members, and dignitaries from across the country. The event features speeches, wreath-laying, and the reading of names of fallen officers added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

• The Candlelight Vigil: Held at the National Mall or the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, this vigil is perhaps the most emotionally resonant event of Police Week. Thousands gather to light candles in remembrance of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. During the vigil, the names of newly fallen officers are formally added to the memorial wall, and each name is read aloud.

• Law Enforcement Memorial Bike Ride (LEU): Known as the “Road to Hope,” this multi-day bike ride features law enforcement personnel and supporters cycling from various locations to Washington, D.C. The ride serves both as a fundraiser and a physical act of tribute for fallen officers.

• Police Unity Tour: Founded in 1997, this tour promotes awareness of officers who have died in the line of duty and raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Riders wear armbands with the names of the fallen, riding in solidarity with their memory.

• Survivors’ Conference: Organized by C.O.P.S., this event offers support, counseling, and workshops for the surviving family members, friends, and co-workers of fallen officers. It provides a space for healing and connection within the broader law enforcement family.

Honoring the Fallen

In 2025, new names will be etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Each name represents a life of service and the profound loss felt by families, departments, and communities. The addition of names to the wall is not just symbolic — it ensures that their service will never be forgotten. Since the memorial’s inception, over 23,000 names of fallen officers have been added, a stark reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily.

These names include not only those who died in acts of violence but also those who perished due to illness or accidents while on duty, including increasingly common cases involving COVID-19 complications in recent years.

Community Involvement and Support

Across the country, law enforcement agencies, municipalities, schools, and civic groups will participate in memorial events during Police Week. Local observances might include memorial runs, flag-lowering ceremonies, classroom discussions, open houses at police departments, and community vigils.

Police Week is also a time for public reflection on the role of law enforcement in society. It encourages dialogue and collaboration between officers and the communities they serve, fostering mutual respect and understanding. It is a moment to highlight not just loss but commitment — the daily work officers do to ensure safety, enforce laws, respond to crises, and uphold justice.

Reflecting on the Modern Challenges of Policing

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2025 arrive at a time when conversations around law enforcement are as complex and critical as ever. In a nation striving to balance public safety with accountability and equity, these observances also serve as opportunities for introspection within the law enforcement community.

Modern officers face growing challenges: from the rise in mental health crises, increasing threats from organized crime and cyber threats, to the intense scrutiny that comes with the job. Yet, the majority continue to serve with dedication, professionalism, and integrity. Police Week underscores their humanity — as public servants, neighbors, parents, and partners — and highlights the importance of reforms, support systems, and community engagement.