Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day 2017 and also marks the beginning of National Police Week. It's a time when we remember those officers who gave their lives or who were disabled in the line of duty.
It was 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day "in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws."
Since then it has grown into a series of ceremonies held in our nation's capital and in cities across the land. Tens of thousands of active and retired peace officers converge on Washington each year to take part.
The names of fallen heroes are read. Wreaths are placed. Religious services and memorials are held. There are dinners and marches, reunions and remembrances.
A very meaningful part of each Police Week are gatherings at the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall, where the names of more than 19,000 killed in the line of duty. All in all it's a special time set aside to honor some special people.
We can't all be in Washington. Nor can most of our law enforcement officers. But we can take time this day to give them a word of thanks for all they do and say a prayer for their continued safety.