Attorney General Pledges Support for Officers at Annual Police Week Vigil
"To all those serving, I have a simple message for each of you," Sessions said. "We have your back, and you have our thanks."

Addressing an estimated 30,000 people gathered for the 29th annual Candlelight Vigil Saturday night in Washington, DC, Attorney General Jeff Sessions pledged his and his office's support for the nation's law enforcement officers.
"To all those serving, I have a simple message for each of you," Sessions said. "We have your back, and you have our thanks."
Sessions' remarks preceded the reading of the names of 394 fallen officers who were added to the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year. That total includes 143 who died in 2016 and 251 killed in prior years who had "slipped through the cracks of history," according to Craig W. Floyd, president and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).
The vigil began with the presentation of the colors and the singing of the national anthem by the Dallas Police Choir. Floyd said the choir was performing in honor of the five Dallas officers who were killed last summer in a sniper attack at the end of an anti-police protest.
In addition to Sessions, dignitaries speaking at the vigil included Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, National President of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Brenda Donner, and John Ashcroft, who served as attorney general in the George W. Bush administration.
Ashcroft, who is chairman of the board of directors for NLEOMF, thanked everyone in attendance. But he had a special message for the survivors of fallen officers. "Your loved ones will always be remembered and honored," he said.
Speaking forcefully about the targeting of officers by individuals who murder them in "cold blood" from ambush, Ashcroft said, "We have to end this hatred against law enforcement."
Speaking next, DHS Secretary Kelly said seven of the fallen officers being honored were from the agencies that make up his department. Kelly said those officers and all the other officers being honored this year "are not heroes because of the way they died but the way they lived lives of courage."
Sessions' remarks echoed Kelly's sentiment. "We celebrate what they did and what they stood for," he said of the fallen.
"It is one of the highest callings of my office to call attention to your successes," he said. "As long as I am attorney general, the Department of Justice will have the backs of all honest and honorable law enforcement officers."
C.O.P.S. president Brenda Donner told the story of losing her police officer father to a line-of-duty death 50 years ago when she was eight years old. Donner urged all in attendance to provide comfort to the young children of fallen officers. She said her experience after the death of her father was that people inadvertently made her feel like her father left because of something she did. "Help children understand they did nothing wrong to cause the death of their parent," she said. "It's OK to tell them about their parent and share tears and laughter," she added.
Each of the 394 names of the fallen were read at the end of the vigil. The reading was organized alphabetically by state with Sessions, former U.S. senator from Alabama, reading the first names.--David Griffith
More Patrol

Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →
Team Wendy Announces Title Sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation
Team Wendy’s 3-year partnership with the Jorge Pastore Foundation expands access to programs that strengthen those who serve.
Read More →
National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum Hosting 9/11 25th-Year Commemoration Ceremony
The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum is hosting a 9/11 25th Year Commemoration Ceremony on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.
Read More →
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Announces June 2026 Officers of the Month
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) named 15 officers of the Chico Police Department (California) as the Officers of the Month for June 2026 for their roles in responding to an active-shooter incident at a public library.
Read More →
Team Wendy App Creates New Digital Hub for Helmet Owners
The Team Wendy Community App provides one location for warranty registration, size-fit tools, product updates, and community connection. For helmet owners, the new app creates a simpler path to the information and tools that matter most.
Read More →
