Pay tribute to law enforcement officers by flying flags half-staff

Federal law requires American flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and May 15, National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

This tribute to American law enforcement officers is part of the historic crime bill that President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1994.

At the request of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Public Law 103-322 designates Peace Officers Memorial Day as one of only two days each year during which government agencies, businesses, and residents are to fly their U.S. flags at half-staff.

“On May 15, we honor the sacrifices of our law enforcement officers by lowering our flags for National Peace Officers Memorial Day,” said Craig W. Floyd, Memorial Fund President and CEO. “The names of more than 21,000 men and women who wore the uniform grace the Memorial walls, and they deserve all the recognition this day bestows on them.”

In 1962, President 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.

Locally, the Veterans will honor law enforcement on Monday May 15 at about 9:30 a.m. by lowering the large flag in Veterans Park by the Library, additionally the Boundary County Chaplain Corp. will be hosting a ceremony on Friday May 19 starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Veterans Park to honor those law enforcement Officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this ceremony which will include the Border Patrol Explorers Honor Guard, the reading of names of fallen Officers and a wreath laying ceremony.