National Police Week traces its beginnings back to 1962 under President John F. Kennedy

Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal
·5 min read
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Law enforcement officers wake up each day, put on their gear and say goodbye to their families, some for the final time.

In honor and respect for those officers who died in the line of duty, the United States celebrates National Police Week as well as National Peace Officers Memorial Day Monday.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), this time of year is meant to pay "special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others."

PPD remember: Pensacola police remember 16 officers in department's history who died in the line of duty

What is National Police Week?

National Police Week occurs every year during the calendar week of National Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is every May 15.

The week-long remembrance began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a joint resolution of congress into law recognizing the week as a time to pay homage to fallen law enforcement.

Initially, the memorial service began in 1982 as a small gathering of law enforcement supporters, but gradually grew to a series of events that attracts thousands of people and officers to Washington, D.C. each year. According to National Police Week's website, the event draws between 25,000 and 40,000 attendees.

Stand Watch for the Fallen | National Police Week 2023 | Honor guards stand watch for 10-minute intervals to honor and remember the law enforcement officers that made the ultimate sacrifice from 12 PM to 12 AM. | By National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund | Facebook

What happens during National Police Week?

Prior to the nationally recognized week, the National Law Enforcement Museum has been open each day since May 9 and will close May 20.

During this time, many local law enforcement agencies conduct their own ceremonies to remember and honor their own officers who died in the line of duty. This includes the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office and Pensacola Police Department.

The NLEOMF held their annual candlelight vigil on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. where hundreds of the names engraved on the memorial wall in the 400 block of E Street in the nation's capital were read.

Previous memorials: A 24-hour, 7-day SRSO memorial walk honors all 2020 officers who fell in the line-of-duty

To serve and sacrifice: Corrections trainees make 'Wall of Tribute' for fallen officers

Other National Police Week events include multiple wreath layings, the National Police K-9 memorial Service, a police unity tour and even a Washington Nationals baseball home game.

To begin the week, the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police hosts the National Peace Officers Memorial Service Monday followed by a Stand Watch for the Fallen where honor guards stand watch at 10-minute intervals.

There are over 22,000 names on the Law Enforcement Memorial.

An SRSO deputy places a wreath during the department's annual ceremony to celebrate and honor fallen law enforcement officers.
An SRSO deputy places a wreath during the department's annual ceremony to celebrate and honor fallen law enforcement officers.

What are the ECSO, SRSO and PPD doing during National Police Week?

Both the ECSO and PPD will conduct their annual law enforcement memorials during National Police Week. The ECSO will hold theirs Wednesday, and the PPD will hold theirs Thursday.

The SRSO held their memorial just before National Police Week on May 5.

In total, all three agencies will honor 44 officers who have died while serving our local area.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office honors 13 fallen officers

The SRSO held their ceremony on May 5 and celebrated their own fallen officers, as well as many fallen officers throughout the state.

Here are the following remembered officers:

Pensacola Police Department will honor 16 fallen officers

The PPD will hold their fallen officer memorial May 18 and remember 16 officers who died.

  • Officer J.W.R. Gordon, End of Watch: Sept. 22, 1889

  • Officer John Yelverton, End of Watch: June 3, 1899

  • Officer William Burnham, End of Watch: March 18, 1906

  • Capt. William T. Etheridge, End of Watch: Dec. 26, 1908

  • Officer John D Carter, End of Watch: April 4, 1909

  • Officer C.F. Bazzell, End of Watch: March 16, 1932

  • Officer Clinton A. Green, End of Watch: Feb 26, 1938

  • Detective Archie Bowman, End of Watch: Aug 19, 1938

  • Officer Herbert T. Hatcher, End of Watch: Jan. 15, 1939

  • Officer Edward O'Brien Pursell, End of Watch: Aug, 12, 1944

  • Officer Louis J. Champa, End of Watch: May 27, 1951

  • Detective James Jeffcoat, End of Watch: March 22, 1968

  • Officer Curtis Neal Jones, End of Watch: June 27, 1980

  • Officer Amos Cross, End of Watch: Sept. 12, 1980

  • Officer Stephen A. Taylor, End of Watch: Oct. 19, 1982

  • Officer Glenn Rowe Austraw, End of Watch: Feb. 16, 1997

Sacrifice honored: 'We don’t ever forget their sacrifice': Escambia, Santa Rosa honor fallen deputies

Escambia County Sheriff's Office will honor 15 fallen officers

The ECSO will hold their fallen officer ceremony on May 17 and will remember 15 of their fallen law enforcement officers.

  • Sheriff A. Cary Ellis, End of Watch: Jan. 1, 1923

  • Constable Mallory Williams, End of Watch: May 4, 1941

  • Deputy Joseph Elmer Whitworth, End of Watch: April 22, 1954

  • Constable WM "Clint" Rigby, End of Watch: Sept. 4, 1955

  • Patrolman Roland Davis Sr., End of Watch: Sept. 24, 1955

  • Deputy Len B. Adams, End of Watch: June 16, 1958

  • Deputy Joseph Mallory Gassman, End of Watch: Jan. 30, 1966

  • Deputy Charles Leroy Wilkerson, End of Watch: Jan. 19, 1974

  • Deputy Morley "Buddy" Ray, End of Watch: April 7, 1978

  • Deputy Floyd "Doug" Heist, End of Watch: May 3, 1980

  • Cpl. Eric Byron Streeter, End of Watch: March 11, 1984

  • Deputy Donald Ray Cook, End of Watch: Dec. 3, 1988

  • Sgt. Dennis Mathis, End of Watch: July 27, 1989

  • Sgt. Roosevelt Walker Jr., End of Watch: May 22, 1998

  • Lt. George Hura Jr., End of Watch: may 4, 2004

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: National Police Week 2023 recognizes fallen law enforcement officers