Wyoming Highway Patrol honor National Police Week

It’s National Police Week, an annual observance that honors law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. National Police Week runs May 14, – Sat, May 20, and gives communities an opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing police officers every day and how residents can support them.

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

National Police Week is an important time to reflect on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers as shown in the statistics of 2022 when two hundred forty-six (246) officers died in the line of duty in the United States, according to the WHP.

In-person events are planned for this week, May 14 – 20, in Washington DC, to offer respect, honor, remembrance, and community support for National Police Week while allowing law enforcement, survivors, law enforcement families and citizens to gather and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

The Highway Patrol reports that here in Wyoming, from 1877 to the present, there have been a total of 61 officers who have died in the line of duty. In honor of these officers, the Wyoming Peace Officer Memorial ceremony will occur on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol would like to remember all law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice this week. We thank all law enforcement members for their dedication and service to the State of Wyoming.

Join the Sheridan Police Department on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program, at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday May 17, on 930 KROE or 103.9 to hear more about this week of honor.