Peace Officers Honored

President Trump addresses attendees during Peace Officers' Memorial Day event

President Donald Trump was joined by Members of Congress on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to mark Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, 2018. “Today, every American heart bleeds blue,” President Trump said. (Photo by Eric Connolly)

Vice President Mike Pence addresses attendees during Peace Officers' Memorial Day event

Vice President Mike Pence joined President Trump to mark Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, 2018. (Photo by Eric Connolly)

President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Members of Congress

President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Members of Congress, and hundreds of peace officers and their families gathered on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2018, to honor police officers killed in the line of duty. (Photo by Eric Connolly)

President Donald Trump and peace officers on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol

Speaking to the children of officers killed in the line of duty who attended the event, President Trump said, “Your moms and dads were among the bravest to ever live. When danger came, when darkness fell, when distraction loomed, they did not flinch. They were not afraid. They did not falter.” (Photo by Eric Connolly)

President Trump and Members of Congress honor fallen officers

President Donald Trump was joined by Members of Congress on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to mark Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, 2018.

“Today, every American heart bleeds blue,” President Trump said.

The Memorial was established to honor police officers killed in the line of duty. Peace Officers Memorial Day marks the start of Police Week and has been observed since 1962 after a Joint Resolution was passed by Congress and signed by President John F. Kennedy. According to the Joint Resolution, Police Week was designated “In recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect.”

Speaking to the children of officers killed in the line of duty who attended the event, President Trump said, “Your moms and dads were among the bravest to ever live. When danger came, when darkness fell, when distraction loomed, they did not flinch. They were not afraid. They did not falter.”

This year, 199 names were read aloud during the ceremony from the “Roll Call of Heroes.” The list of names consisted of 70 officers who died of illnesses related to their service during the September 11 attacks, and who were previously unrecognized, and 129 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2017.