Law enforcement officers, supporters and survivors from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., to honor and remember the fallen, and to pay respects to the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind during National Police Week, held May 11–17.

This year, 619 officers — 472 officers who were killed during 2021, plus 147 who died in previous years — were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. On May 13, the names of these officers were read by high-ranking government officials and law enforcement leaders during the 34th annual Candlelight Vigil, hosted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on the National Mall. On May 15, the National Fraternal Order of Police and National Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary hosted the 41st annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol. At the solemn ceremony, families and loved ones of the fallen were able to place a flower in the memorial wreath as their officers’ names were read. The service was followed by the wreath-laying ceremony as well as the stand watch for the fallen at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

Other notable events throughout the week included the National Police K-9 Memorial Service, a ceremony honoring police dogs who have died in the line of duty, the Police Unity Tour, the four-day, 300-mile bicycle ride from New Jersey to the nation’s capital, the annual Steve Young National Honor Guard Competition and Pipe Band Competition, and the National Police Survivors Conference held by the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), which provides support and resources for surviving family members, friends and co-workers of officers who have died in the line of duty.