National Police Week was an idea that began in the late 1950s. Is is said that a butcher from Philadelphia wanted to do something to honor those Law Enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, along the lines of Memorial Day that honors those in the armed forces. The Philadelphia butcher, Charles Sussman, began a letter writing campaign to see if something could come of his idea. Three years later his idea beacme a federal resolution and then signed into law by President John F. Kennedy in May of 1961.

Public Law 87-726 states that May 15th of each year be observed as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week which contains May 15th to be National Police Week.

To show your appreciation to those that have given their lives in the pursuit of those ideals upon which our country was founded place a blue light in a window for Law Enforcement Memorial Week, May 13th through May 19th, 2007.

To read Public Law 87-726 in PDF format click on the Police Officer Memorial coin below.

For more information on National Police Week visit the Concerns of Police Survivors site.