Fallen Law Enforcement Officers to be Honored During 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13 in Washington, DC

Washington, DC, May 04, 2017 -- The names of 394 U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty will be formally dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil held on the national Mall between 4^th and 7^th streets in Washington, DC on the evening of May 13.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security John Kelly will deliver special remarks and lead in candle lighting and reading the names of the fallen officers. The names of 394 officers added to the Memorial this year include 143 who made the ultimate sacrifice during 2016, in addition to 251 officers who died earlier in history but whose sacrifice had not been previously documented. Included in the 251 historical cases are the names of 72 law enforcement officers who died as a result of performing rescue and recovery work after the 9-11 terrorist attacks in New York.

The 28th Candlelight Vigil held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 13, 2016.

With these additions, there are 21,183 officers’ names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, and military police agencies.

Each May 13, an estimated 30,000 people assemble for the Memorial Fund’s annual Candlelight Vigil, a signature event of National Police Week. For the ninth year, the ceremony will be streamed live so that people across the country can witness this annual tribute to America’s law enforcement officers. Individuals interested in the free webcast can register online at www.UnitedByLight.org.

“Our annual Candlelight Vigil is a moving tribute to the brave men and women of law enforcement who put the safety and protection of others ahead of their own—especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the process,” said Craig W. Floyd, President & CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “Attending the ceremony in person or viewing it online is a meaningful way for all Americans to show their appreciation and respect for these heroes,” he shared.

The names of the 394 officers added to the National Memorial this year can be found at www.LawMemorial.org/2017RollCall. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media representatives covering the Candlelight Vigil must register for credentials in advance. Go to www.LawMemorial.org/credentials [SG1] for details.

• Media check-in will open at noon on May 13 and will be located on the northwest corner of 4^th Street SW and Jefferson Drive SW. Media representatives must first check in to pick up credentials before accessing the site.
   
• Space on the media riser is limited to one (1) credentialed representative per media outlet. All media equipment must be in place prior to the sweep scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm. Equipment may not be left unattended.

• Parking is extremely limited. If you require a satellite truck to conduct live shots from the Vigil, please contact Steve Groeninger, 202-737-7135 or [email protected], to reserve a space and receive a parking location for your vehicle.

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 21,183 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now working to create the National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibitions, historical artifacts and extensive educational programming. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d01832f2-83ec-47c3-b312-e3b8169d6ec0

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48c265cb-5df8-41ee-a00e-074d0e1cc808

Steve Groeninger
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
202-737-7135
[email protected]