National Police Week honors of f icers killed in line of duty

On Oct. 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726, designating the week containing May 15 each year as National Police Week.

Since that time, the law enforcement community throughout our country has come together annually during National Police Week to pay tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty.

A National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial containing the names of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty was built in Washington DC.

This year, 358 names are being added to that memorial. That number includes 181 officers who were killed last year, as well as 177 who died in previous years, but who had been unidentified until now.

Last year will be remembered as one of the deadliest years for law enforcement officers in more than a decade. It was also the 37th most deadly year for law enforcement officers in the history of our country.

Although 240 officers were killed in 2001, 72 of those were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The 181 officers who were killed last year represent the largest number of law enforcement officers killed since 1995 (other than 2001). That year also saw 181 officers killed.

Of the 181 who died last year, 83 were killed in traffic collisions. The deceased officers averaged 11 years on the job and 39 years of age.

On six separate times last year, multiple officers were shot to death in one incident.

On May 13, the 20th Annual Candlelight Vigil to honor the 18,274 law enforcement officers whose names appear on our national memorial will occur in our nation's capitol.

At 9 a.m., on that same morning, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from throughout our region will gather at our local public safety memorial in front of the Naperville Police Department. We will pay tribute to the 15 officers from DuPage County who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our communities, as well as other fallen American law enforcement officers.

There will be a flag presentation by members of the Naperville Police and the DuPage County Sheriff's honor guard units, a 21-gun salute by members of the Carol Stream Police Department and a special music presentation by students of Neuqua Valley High School. Neuqua students will also play taps.

Our ceremony will be approximately 30 minutes long and is open to any member of the public who wishes to attend. Light refreshments will be served and parking will be available in front of the police department and in the Safety Town parking lot.

Naperville Police Chief David Dial's column appears every other Monday.