Thousands of peace officers, survivors, families of fallen officers and law enforcement supporters from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., on May 12–18 to attend National Police Week ceremonies and events honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty this past year and throughout history and supporting the loved ones they left behind.

This year, the names of 282 peace officers — 118 who were killed in 2023 and an additional 164 from previous years — were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, bringing the total number of names engraved on the memorial to 24,067.

The names of these fallen heroes were read aloud and formally dedicated during the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) 36th annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall on May 13. The officers were also honored throughout the week during the 30th annual Pipe Band Memorial March and Service; the Police Unity Tour, the 300-mile bicycle ride from New Jersey to the nation’s capital; the National Police Survivors’ Conference and Kids/Teens Program hosted 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; the Stand Watch for the Fallen ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial; and other events.

National Police Week culminated with the 43rd annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, hosted by National Fraternal Order of Police and National Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, which was held on the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol on May 15. The service, which pays tribute to all the fallen, featured remarks by National FOP President Patrick Yoes and several dignitaries, including President Joe Biden, who delivered the keynote address, followed by a roll call of heroes who died in the line of duty last year. “Today, more than ever, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who selflessly put their lives on the line in the service of others,” Yoes said in his address. “We are the guardians of our free society, the silent heroes who make sacrifices most will never fully comprehend.”

During the ceremony, families and survivors of the fallen were invited to place flowers in a memorial wreath in their memory and were presented with medals of ultimate sacrifice in honor of their loved ones. The service also included acknowledgments recognizing all officers serving in law enforcement, including international officers, and those who were disabled in the line of duty, those serving in the military and those who died from suicide and as a result of terrorist attacks, as well as service animals who were killed on duty.

Among the notable officials in attendance were House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland, U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis, Acting ICE Director Patrick Lechleitner, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland, ATF Director Steven Dettelbach, COPS Office Director Hugh Clements Jr. and International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly, as well as representatives from International Association of Chiefs of Police, C.O.P.S., NLEOMF and several other law enforcement groups.