President Obama Joins FOP in Salute to Fallen Heroes

31(st) Annual Memorial Service Honors Officers’ Sacrifice

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary will gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to honor one hundred sixty-six (166) law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service is the capstone event of National Police Week.

Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, will host the event which will feature a keynote address by President Barack Obama.

“Every year, the FOP and its extended law enforcement family come together on this day at this place to remember, to reflect, and to honor the loved ones we have lost,” Canterbury said. “In sharing our grief, we find the strength to renew our commitment to serve and protect our families, our communities, and our nation.”

During National Police Week, thousands of law enforcement officers in every region of the nation gather at memorial services to honor their fallen colleagues. More than 20,000 officers, as well as the surviving family members and friends of slain officers, have traveled to the nation’s capital to attend the 31(st )Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, which is the nation’s largest and most prominent memorial service held on behalf of fallen law enforcement officers.

In October 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15(th) as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. Since the signing of this proclamation, this date has been the official day of recognition for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the performance of their duty. This is the 31(st) year that the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary have held the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 330,000 members.

CONTACT: Tim Richardson
(202) 547-8189

SOURCE Fraternal Order of Police