Auburn and communities across the United States will come together next week to remember and honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

Mayor Pete Lewis issued a proclamation at the May 4 city council meeting proclaiming next Friday, May 15, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Auburn and the week of May 10-16 as Police Week. As a special show of respect to the nation’s fallen law enforcement officers, all businesses, residents and government agencies are reminded to lower their flags to half-staff on May 15.

At the request of the NLEOMF in 1994, Public Law 103-322 designates Peace Officers Memorial Day as one of only two days each year during which U.S. flags are to be flown at half staff (Memorial Day is the other).

This year, the names of 387 fallen officers are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 387 officers include 133 officers who died in the line of duty during 2008, plus another 254 officers who died in previous years, but had been lost to history until now.

“There are some 900,000 active law enforcement officers in the United States today – men and women who are willing to put their own lives at great risk for the safety and protection of others,” said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the NLEOMF. “National Police Week is a time for all Americans to pause and reflect on the incredible sacrifices these heroes make for us every day and every week of the year. We could not be the free and mostly safe and peaceful nation that we are without their dedication and service,” he added.

For more information about National Police Week, please visit www.LawMemorial.org/NPW2009.