National Police Week began on May 9 and lasted until May 15.
Virtual events were held throughout the week and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum will continue to provide programs to ensure officer safety and ceremonies to honor officers who have died in the line of duty. A candlelight vigil was held on Thursday, May 13 at 8 p.m.
"Thank you to our brave law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our communities safe and Texans out of harm’s way," State Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) said.
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others, like the two officers recently killed in a shootout in Concho County on May 10.
Deputy Samuel Leonard and Sergeant Stephen Jones were killed by Jeffery Nicholas, 28, who led them on a chase in Eden, Texas. Nicholas then hid inside a building where shots were fired. Nicholas was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder of a peace officer.
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shows that the state has 2,735 agencies and 78,582 peace officer license holders.