To honor those who serve as law enforcement officers, congress created the Peace Officer Memorial Day in 1961. President John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law and he designated May 15th as Peace Officer Memorial Day, and the week in which it falls in as National Police Week. In 1994, President Bill Clinton directed the American flag to be flown at half-staff on May 15th.

Every year a ceremony is conducted at the Dallas Police Memorial to honor those Dallas Police Officers who have been killed in the line of duty while serving the citizens of this great city. The ceremony starts with a march that ends at the Police Memorial site. During the ceremony, the Dallas Police Choir will perform and the names of the fallen officers are read, also known as the “Roll Call of Honor.” This is followed by a 21 Gun Salute, the playing of Taps and the Dallas Police Helicopter, Air1, will complete a flyover. At the end of the ceremony, family and friends may place a yellow rose by the name of his or her loved one.

In 1892, Officer C.O. Brewer became the department’s first officer killed in the line of duty. Since then, the Dallas Police Department has lost 80 officers. The most recent officer added to the Memorial was Kevin Marceau.

As the Department reflects on honoring all law enforcement officers during Police Memorial Week, we would like to extend a special thanks to our officers for making our city safe. We hope and pray that no other name is added to the Memorial.