WASHINGTON — A candle flickering beneath the National Mall skyline. A bicycle carrying the identify of a fallen officer throughout tons of of miles. A Ok-9 handler putting a rose in remembrance of a loyal accomplice who by no means made it house.
Across the nation and within the nation’s capital, legislation enforcement businesses, survivors and supporters gathered throughout National Police Week 2026 to honor officers and Ok-9s who made the final word sacrifice within the line of obligation.
This 12 months’s observances included the thirty eighth Annual Candlelight Vigil, the thirtieth anniversary of the Police Unity Tour and the National Police Ok-9 Memorial Service. Agencies giant and small shared tributes, memorial ceremonies and reflections on social media, all carrying an analogous message: The fallen won’t ever be forgotten.
Every week of remembrance
While 1000’s gathered in Washington, D.C., for nationwide memorial occasions, businesses throughout the nation additionally honored fallen officers in their very own communities by way of ceremonies, tributes and public shows of remembrance.
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office mirrored on the importance of the week, noting that fallen Virginia Beach officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese had been remembered alongside heroes from throughout the nation. The company additionally highlighted participation in Law Enforcement United’s “Road to Hope” and the RUFF Ride, honoring those that made the final word sacrifice.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (North Carolina) honored those that misplaced their lives within the line of obligation with a public rememberance ceremony on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
In Shenandoah, Iowa, the Shenandoah Police Department marked the week by putting a flag for each officer killed within the line of obligation over the previous 12 months.
“National Police Week is both a time of solemn remembrance and a celebration of the men and women who serve with integrity and bravery every day,” the division wrote. “It reminds us that behind every badge is a story of service, sacrifice and family.”
The Anna (Texas) Police Department echoed that message, thanking officers who proceed to serve “with courage, integrity and commitment every day.”
Meanwhile, businesses continued discovering methods to attach remembrance with neighborhood engagement.
The Cary (North Carolina) Police Department used National Police Week to highlight Ok-9 Nuke, an explosives detection and monitoring canine who helps defend the neighborhood by way of safety sweeps and deployments.
The Newport Police Department (North Carolina) showcased how their officers linked withwith the neighborhood throughout Police Week with a “Cookies with a Cop” occasion.
Candlelight Vigil honors 363 fallen officers
One of probably the most emotional moments of National Police Week got here in the course of the thirty eighth Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall, the place 363 fallen officers had been honored and their names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Departments from throughout the nation shared pictures and reflections from the vigil as officers stood shoulder to shoulder with survivors and supporters beneath the glow of candlelight.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office mirrored on the solemnity of listening to the names of the fallen learn aloud, noting that Deputy Devin Jaramillo’s identify was amongst these honored this 12 months.
“As each name was read aloud beneath the lights of the National Mall, we reflected on the communities they protected and the officers who continue to answer the call,” the company wrote.
The Baltimore Police Department described the night as “beautiful,” highlighting the custom of officers escorting surviving members of the family in the course of the ceremony.
“We will never forget,” the division posted.
The Chicago Police Department joined survivors, supporters and businesses from throughout the nation on the vigil, honoring “fallen heroes and their families,” whereas the Middletown (Ohio) Division of Police famous that the ceremony ensured the officers’ “service, sacrifice and legacy will never be forgotten.”
Miami Beach Police Department officers additionally gathered in Washington, D.C., to honor the fallen.
“As the names engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial are read aloud, we pause to remember their service, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to protecting others,” the division wrote.
For many businesses, the vigil served not solely as a memorial, however as a reminder of the lasting bond shared throughout the legislation enforcement career.
Police Unity Tour marks thirtieth anniversary of honoring the fallen
The Police Unity Tour celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2026, bringing 1000’s of riders to Washington, D.C., after finishing multi-day bicycle rides in honor of fallen officers.
The trip, which started three a long time in the past with a small group of officers, has grown right into a nationwide motion centered on remembrance, therapeutic and help for surviving households.
The Police Unity Tour introduced that this 12 months’s riders, motors and help groups helped increase and donate $2.5 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
“The Police Unity Tour is more than a ride,” organizers posted. “It is remembrance. It is brotherhood and sisterhood. It is healing. It is love.”
The New Jersey State Police mirrored on the tour’s legacy, noting that troopers and supporters from eight chapters rode roughly 300 miles to Washington, D.C., in honor of fallen officers. During the Candlelight Vigil, the company paid tribute to Sergeant First Class William A. Casey, Lieutenant Peter F. Bruncati, Sergeant First Class Steven C. Tiboni and Staff Sergeant Lee E. Hendrickson, whose names had been added to the memorial wall.
“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the company wrote.
Departments throughout the nation highlighted their very own riders’ journeys to the nation’s capital.
The Derby (Connecticut) Police Department celebrated Lt. Joe Massetti and Sgt. Joe Townsend after the pair accomplished the roughly 400-mile trip to Washington.
“We’re told our two riders are a little tired … and maybe a bit saddle sore … but they pushed through with strength and pride the entire way,” the division shared.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., highlighted Sgt. Ibrahim, Officer Debora Viel and former investigator Ricardo Carrion for finishing the tour “with purpose, remembrance and unity every mile of the way.”
#WATCH 🎥 Every mile led to this. 🚴♂️💙
Sgt. Ibrahim, Officer Debora Viel, & former MPD Investigator Ricardo Carrion accomplished the thirtieth Annual Police Unity Tour—a 300+ mile trip to DC in honor of Officer Bennett, using with function, remembrance, and unity each mile of the way in which. pic.twitter.com/ZSrOJum18I
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) May 13, 2026
The Tallahassee Police Department additionally joined riders from throughout the nation for the annual trip honoring officers killed within the line of obligation.
This week, members of the TPD joined riders from throughout the nation for the annual Police Unity Tour, a significant journey to honor legislation enforcement officers who made the final word sacrifice within the line of obligation. pic.twitter.com/CdrZnLHLm6
— Tallahassee Police (@TallyPD) May 13, 2026
Ok-9 heroes remembered at nationwide memorial service
The National Police Ok-9 Memorial Service honored 23 fallen police canines this 12 months, recognizing Ok-9s who died within the line of obligation in 2025.
Among these honored was Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Ok-9 Roxi, who died after a suspect deliberately struck her Ok-9 automobile throughout a pursuit, inflicting it to crash right into a concrete wall.
“K9 Roxi faithfully served the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office for more than seven years,” the company wrote. “Her courage, loyalty and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The National Police Dog Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shared the names of all 23 fallen Ok-9s honored in the course of the ceremony, remembering their dedication to “their handlers, departments and communities they served.”
The Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association honored Tucson Police Ok-9 Raven in the course of the ceremony, writing, “Rest easy, Raven — your watch is never forgotten.”
The Roanoke (Virginia) Police Department shared that Officer Frosell attended the memorial service in honor of Ok-9 Knox’s lifetime of service, whereas the Culpeper (Virginia) Police Department highlighted its participation within the joint Honor Guard in the course of the ceremony.
Culpeper officers additionally welcomed members within the “Ruff Ride,” a multi-state bicycle trip elevating funds to help Ok-9 applications.
Peace Officers Memorial Day honors braveness and sacrifice
Observed every year on May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day serves because the centerpiece of National Police Week, honoring officers who gave their lives defending others. The annual occasion began in 1962 after President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The Delaware State Police mirrored on the non-public tales behind the badge whereas honoring Corporal Dennis F. Kelly and Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, whose names had been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this 12 months.
“Behind every badge is a person with a story,” the company wrote. “Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, friends, partners and so much more.”
In Palm Springs, California, Sgt. Shawn Flinn represented the division throughout ceremonies in Washington, D.C., because the company remembered Officers Gale Eldridge, Lyle Larrabee, Jose “Gil” Vega and Lesley Zerebny.
“From Palm Springs to our nation’s capital, we stand in remembrance,” the division wrote.
The Tucson Police Department held its annual Fallen Officer Memorial, honoring the ten officers within the division’s historical past who died within the line of obligation, together with Lead Police Officer Adam R. Buckner, whose finish of watch was March 31, 2024.
The Chisago County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Office mirrored on the that means of memorials and sacrifice in a prolonged tribute honoring the nation’s fallen officers.
“Stone. A symbol of permanence. Memorial. A visible symbol that reflects an invisible truth which proclaims, ‘We will not forget you. We will remember,’” the company wrote.
The Morrow County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office additionally honored Deputy Daniel Weston Sherrer, who turned the primary deputy within the company’s historical past to die within the line of obligation.
“We remember. We honor. We are grateful,” the company shared.
National leaders and businesses acknowledge police service
National Police Week additionally introduced recognition from federal officers and businesses throughout the nation.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised officers nationwide, calling them “the best men and women on earth who put the badge on every day to keep us safe.”
It’s my honor to affix America in celebrating Police Week 2026 – the place we honor the very best women and men on earth who put the badge on on daily basis to maintain us protected.
At this FBI below President Trump, we proceed to crush violent crime and defend the homeland at file ranges – largely… pic.twitter.com/4pHfj1GE7I
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) May 10, 2026
The White House shared a “Back the Blue” message honoring officers and their households throughout National Police Week.
At the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters, Secretary Sean Duffy hosted a “Coffee with a Cop” occasion recognizing officers and inspiring Americans to thank legislation enforcement personnel for his or her service.
Federal businesses additionally participated in ceremonial competitions and memorial occasions all through the week. The U.S. Border Patrol highlighted honors earned by CBP ceremonial groups in the course of the annual Honor Guard Pipe & Drum Competition, together with first-place finishes for total band and costume and deportment.
“These achievements reflect more than competition results,” the company wrote. “They represent honor, discipline and a steadfast commitment to remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
From candlelit memorials in Washington, D.C., to native ceremonies held in small cities and main cities alike, National Police Week 2026 as soon as once more served as a strong reminder of the sacrifices made by legislation enforcement officers and the enduring help shared amongst businesses, households and communities throughout the nation.
Whether by way of a bicycle trip, a folded flag, a memorial wall or the quiet studying of a reputation aloud, the message remained clear all through the week: The fallen won’t ever be forgotten.
