The 2011 candlelight vigil during National Police Week in Washington, D.C., drew up to 20,000 officers, police survivors, dignitaries, and other law enforcement supporters to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the reading of 316 names added to the wall this year. The vigil is organized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).
Police Week 2011: Candlelight Vigil
Honor guard officers listen to instructions prior to the candlelight vigil. Photo: Paul Clinton.
A blue laser-light show symbolizes the thin blue line during the vigil. Photo: NLEOMF.
Honor guard officers march toward the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Photo: Paul Clinton.
A Bismarck (N.D.) Police officer is one example of the diversity of agencies whose officers traveled to D.C. to participate in the vigil. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Travis County (Texas) Sheriff's Sgt. John Hill, Lt. Debbie Galloway, Dep. Maria Chandler, and Cordine McMurray (left to right). Photo: Paul Clinton.
Motor officers rode in unison to the memorial prior to the vigil, and parked their motorcycles. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Speakers during the 2011 police week vigil emphasized the sacrifices made by fallen officers. Photo: NLEOMF.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers Olga Martinez, Sandra Marinelarena, Adolfo Ortiz, Gloria Martinez, and Juan Rivera (left to right). The officers are stationed in El Paso. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Torrance (Calif.) Police Officer Joanna Warren and Bloomfield (Conn.) Police Officer Christina Benvenuto. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Deputies from the Harris County (Texas) Sheriff's Office. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Kettering (Ohio) Police Officers Eric Rustad (left) and Kent Tischler. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Families and supporters of fallen officers joined law enforcement personnel at the vigil. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Deputies from Charles County (Md.) Sheriff's Office. Photo: Paul Clinton.
A risk of thundershowers caused these officers to protect their uniform hats. Photo: Paul Clinton.
Prior to Friday's candlelight vigil, officers escorted police survivors to their seats at the law enforcement memorial. Photo: NLEOMF.
Fairfax County (Va.) Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Wilson and Sgt. Brian Wancik. The agency is one of the oldest in the country, and was created in 1742. Photo: Paul Clinton.
An officer greets police survivors outside of the memorial. Photo: NLEOMF.
The cadets of the Challenger 1 Squadron of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, performed a wreath-laying ceremony during National Police Week. Photo: Capt. Steven Lucas.