For the Reporter

Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, who served in law enforcement for 33 years, delivered a special order on the House floor in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week, which is a federal holiday dedicated to paying tribute to law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

Reichert also made the following statement to recognize the 55th observance of the memorial.

“This week, thousands of family members of fallen police officers and their law enforcement families have come to Washington, D.C., to mourn their loss and honor the 252 additional names that will be etched into the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall this year,” Reichert said. “The deep feelings of pain and sorrow that these families and loved ones are experiencing now is something that I am all too familiar with. In 1982, I lost my partner and best friend, Sgt. Sam Hicks, who was ambushed and shot to death when he was attempting to arrest a homicide suspect. Just years later in 1984, my friend, patrol partner and academy classmate, Mike Raburn, was stabbed to death while serving a warrant.

“Their deaths remind me daily of the incredible and selfless sacrifice law enforcement officers and their families make every day. Please join me in keeping the immediate family members as well as the entire extended law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers during this week of reflection and remembrance.”

To watch a video of Rep. Reichert commemorating fallen officers on the House floor, click here and here.

Background

Police Week was started in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. He designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the encompassing week to be “National Police Week.” During this time, police officers from all over the nation come together in Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to their fellow officer who gave their lives in the line of duty. There are 20,789 names engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.