National Police Week 2015: Honoring the Fallen
Every May, the COPS Office actively participates in honoring the memory of the men and women of law enforcement who have given their lives while performing their duties as an officer or deputy. Each year, tens of thousands of survivors and supporters of law enforcement come to Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to those who have chosen to serve their communities every day and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, the COPS Office was proud to have many staffers involved in several of the activities that took place during National Police Week (May 9–16).
COPS Office Director Ronald Davis represented the COPS Office in various capacities at events throughout the week. Director Davis, alongside Acting Associate Attorney General Stuart F. Delery, participated in such events as the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund’s Candlelight Vigil and the Peace Officers Memorial Service. Director Davis also attended the annual Memorial Observation for the fallen special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
COPS Office staffers also had the chance to show their support through various events. On May 9, COPS Office employees honored Police Week by waking up on that humid Saturday morning to participate in the annual National Police Week 5k race in downtown Washington, D.C. With more than 1700 racers attending and thousands of dollars raised for the Officer Down Memorial Page and Concerns of Police Survivors, the event was a great way for staff to come together and run in memory of fallen officers near the National Police Memorial.
During Police Week itself, several employees also volunteered to help staff our COPS Office Booth in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) office building located at 2CON Square. They gladly answered questions and handed out important Police Week information to fellow DOJ colleagues while speaking to what the COPS Office is all about.
While Police Week passes too quickly each year, the COPS Office remains committed to providing resources to law enforcement throughout the year. As we enter the summer and prepare to award funding to police departments and sheriffs’ offices around the nation, the COPS Office is more aware than ever of the tough decisions that will be made with limited resources. With those decisions, we are more confident than ever that our funding will have a tremendous impact throughout the country.
Danielle Ouellette
Intergovernmental and Public Liaison Specialist
The COPS Office
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