In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a law requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff each year on May 15. This year marks the 28th annual recognition for the service and sacrifice of all U.S. law enforcement officers. The weeklong events across the U.S. pays special recognition to officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. National Police Week is a collaborated effort by numerous local, states and national organizations dedicated to honor our law enforcement community.

During the week of May 10 to 16, people across the United States honored the officers who have died in the line of duty. During this period, all members of the law enforcement profession united with the survivors and other members of our communities to remember and pay tribute to those we have lost.

In 2008, 134 officers across the United States were killed in the line of duty. Their ages ranged from 22 to 70 to an average age of 39; of those 134 officers, 13 were women officers. On an average, one officer is killed somewhere in America every 53 hours.

The first known line of duty death took place in 1792, when New York City Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith was shot and killed. Since that date, more than 18,600 officers have died while performing their duties. Sadly as of May 5, our communities nationwide have already lost 46 men and women officers in the line of duty, an increase of 21 percent for the same period in 2008.

It is important that all citizens know and understand that law enforcement officers face difficult challenges every day. The officer's job can be dangerous, frustrating and at times tedious. Our local, state and federal officers play an important role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all citizens. Law enforcement officers work to improve the quality of life for all our citizens of their communities by keeping the peace and our streets safe 24/7 despite sometimes overwhelming risks and odds. That is why it is important for law enforcement officers everywhere receive appropriate recognition, support and respect for the work they do.

This is why from May 10 to 16 nationwide, from are own capital in Austin to our nation's capital in Washington, D.C., citizens and our law enforcement community have gathered to observe, commemorate and dedicate in honor all past and present law enforcement officers who have been disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty.

On May 13th the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial was held. The names of the 134 officers killed in 2008, along with an additional 254 officers who have died in previous years, will be engraved and immortalized into granite on the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.

In Galveston County, law enforcement agencies from throughout the county, plus officers from the Houston Police Department Honor Guard, gathered at the Doyle Convestion Center in Texas City to pay tribute to the 30 officers killed in the line of duty since 1873.

Hosted by the Texas City Police Department with Chief Robert Burby as Master of Ceremonies, the event included a 21-gun salute, color guard, mounted posse and riderless horse and the laying of a memorial wreath.

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