Peace Officers Memorial Day

In 1962, President Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726, a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the President to proclaim May 15th each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day.  In 1994, President Clinton signed an amendment by the 103rd Congress which directs Flags to be flown at half mast on May 15th.  

Survivors of Officers killed in 2007 gather on the U.S. Capitol lawn today and see the flags at half mast there, while flags across nation are lowered to honor the 18,274 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.