Nation To Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers During 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil On May 13 In Washington, DC

Attorney General Holder to deliver keynote address as 362 names are dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial; event to be streamed live over the Internet

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The names of 362 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 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will deliver the keynote address and lead the lighting of candles and reading of the names of the fallen officers. The 362 officers include 163 who died in the line of duty during 2011 plus another 199 officers who died earlier in history but whose sacrifice had not been previously documented.

WHAT: 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil
Includes laser light show, musical tributes and reading of 362 names being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Live webcast through www.LawMemorial.org/webcast

WHEN:  May 13, 2012 – 8 p.m.
Because of the large crowds at the vigil, media representatives are encouraged to arrive and check in before 4 pm. See credentialing information below.

WHERE: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
E Street, between 4th and 5th Streets, NW
Washington, DC

WHO: U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano
NLEOMF Chairman and CEO, Craig W. Floyd
National President of Concerns of Police Survivors, Linda Moon-Gregory
Other law enforcement leaders

Each May 13, an estimated 20,000 people assemble at the Memorial grounds in Judiciary Square for the Candlelight Vigil, part of National Police Week in the nation's capital. For the fourth straight year, the ceremony will be streamed live over the Internet 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.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

Dedicated in 1991, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honors U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Including the officers whose names are being added this year, there are now 19,660 names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and federal law enforcement and military police agencies.

"In 2011, the law enforcement community saw a jump in fatalities for the second year in a row. Fortunately, we have seen a reversal in that trend thus far in 2012 and peace officer fatalities are currently down 40% from last year," said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "On May 13 during our Candlelight Vigil, we honor all of the brave men and women of law enforcement who put the safety and protection of others ahead of their own and who made the ultimate sacrifice in the process. Coming to the ceremony in person or viewing it over the Internet is a way for all Americans to show their appreciation and respect for these heroes," he said.

The names of the 362 officers being added this year to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial can be found at www.LawMemorial.org/2012RollCall. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/policeweek.

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 honoring the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers and to promoting officer safety. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 19,660 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 law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibitions, historical artifacts and extensive educational programming. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

CONTACT:
Steve Groeninger
202-737-7135
[email protected]

SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund