Honoring National Police Week

HAMMOND- This year, National Police Week is observed Sunday, May 11 through Saturday, May 17, 2025. In honor of National Police Week, the federal employees of the Northern District of Indiana wish to honor and salute the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Every year, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, D.C. to participate in planned events which honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Based on preliminary data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 147 federal, state, county, municipal, military, tribal, and campus officers have died in the line of duty in 2024, representing a 25% increase, compared to the 118 officers who died in the line of duty in 2023. Firearms-related fatalities have claimed the lives of 52 officers in 2024, which represents a 13% increase from the 46 officers killed by gunfire in 2023 and was the leading cause of death.

Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay said, "We should not take for granted the many ways law enforcement protect the citizens of their communities. The reality is that many dangers confront law enforcement officers even when they are performing routine duties. Their bravery is unmatched and their commitment to upholding the law is commendable. The federal employees of the Northern District of Indiana join me in honoring those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives protecting others, as well as recognizing the sacrifices of their families.

The names of the fallen officers have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and will be read on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C. There are currently 24,412 names engraved on the Memorial.

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