Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the tragic loss.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15th as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. It has been said that President John F. Kennedy was also instrumental in supporting the “CODE OF ETHICS” for law enforcement officers to follow. The law was amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Public Law 103-322, directing that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15th each year. While the actual dates change from year to year, National Police Week is always the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes May 15th.
During National Police Week, the calendar week that includes May 15, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) promotes blue ribbons tied on car antennas as a reminder to the public that many law enforcement officers have paid the ultimate price and given their lives in the line of duty. It is also to honor those officers who, day and night, stand guard in our communities.
Show your support for those fallen officers by flying a blue ribbon from your car antenna. Seeing blue ribbons flying from cars is a tremendous show of support for our fallen officers and those still working the streets. 87-726 designating May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. The law was amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Public Law 103-322, signed by President Bill Clinton, directing that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15 each year. While the actual dates change from year to year, National Police Week is always the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes May 15.
The Brown County Sheriffs office would like to invite the public to help honor those who have lost their lives by displaying a blue ribbon on the antenna of your vehicle. Nationally, law enforcement is losing ground on the safety of our law enforcement officers and emergency personnel as well. This year we are asking that everyone be creative and display blue ribbons in support of the men and women in law enforcement. We will have blue ribbons available free of charge during the week of May 15-21st in the lobby at the sheriffs office. I encourage everyone to pick up some of these ribbons and display them on your vehicle.
If you have any questions, please contact the Brown County Sheriffs office at 785-742-7125.