The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has released the names of 371 U.S. law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty that will be engraved into the memorial this month and formally dedicated at the 31st annual Candlelight Vigil held on Monday May 13.
Included in the list are the names of 158 officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2018 and 213 officers who were killed in prior years but had been forgotten by time until the Memorial Fund’s research staff and a team of dedicated volunteers confirmed their record of law enforcement service. This year's total reflects how the nation continues to lose officers to the tragic events of 9/11, as 87 officers died of illnesses related to search and recovery efforts. The New York (NY) Police Department lost 66 of those brave officers.
When the addition of these 371 names is completed, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will bear the names of 21,910 officers representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, and military police agencies.
The engraving process begins with a lengthy stencil and proofing procedure followed by meticulous engraving and curing processes. Once the engraving and curing process is finished, the covers are removed, and the panel is completed.
Each May 13, an estimated 30,000 people assemble for the annual Candlelight Vigil, a signature event of National Police Week when the names of these fallen officers are formally dedicated.
The names of the 371 officers added to the National Memorial this year can be found at www.LawMemorial.org/RollCall2019. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.
