Fallen Law Enforcement Officers to be Honored During 28th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13 in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The names of 252 U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty will be formally dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 28th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson will deliver special remarks and lead in candle lighting and reading the names of the fallen officers. The names of 252 officers added to the Memorial this year include 123 who made the ultimate sacrifice during 2015, in addition to 129 officers who died earlier in history but whose sacrifice had not been previously documented.

With these additions, there are 20,789 officers' names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, and military police agencies. The event will also commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which was dedicated by President George H.W. Bush on October 15, 1991.

Each May 13, an estimated 20,000 people assemble for the annual Candlelight Vigil, a signature event of National Police Week. For the eighth year, the ceremony will be streamed live over the Internet so that people across the country can witness this annual tribute to America's law enforcement officers. Individuals interested in the free webcast can register online at www.UnitedByLight.org.

"Our annual Candlelight Vigil is a moving tribute to the brave men and women of law enforcement who put the safety and protection of others ahead of their own—especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the process," said Craig W. Floyd, President & CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "Attending the ceremony in person or viewing it over the Internet is a meaningful way for all Americans to show their appreciation and respect for these heroes," he shared. "As we celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and commence construction of the National Law Enforcement Museum, the Candlelight Vigil is especially meaningful this year."

The names of the 252 officers added to the National Memorial this year can be found at www.LawMemorial.org/2016RollCall. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media representatives covering the Candlelight Vigil must register for credentials in advance. Go to www.LawMemorial.org/credentials for details.

• Media check-in will open at noon on May 13 and will be located on the southeast corner of 4^th Street NW and Madison Drive NW. Media representatives must first check in to pick up credentials before accessing the site.
   
• Space on the media riser is limited to one (1) credentialed representative per media outlet. All media equipment must be in place prior to the sweep scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm. Equipment may not be left unattended.

• Parking is extremely limited. If you require a satellite truck to conduct live shots from the Vigil, please contact Steve Groeninger, 202-737-7135 or [email protected], to reserve a space and receive a parking location for your vehicle.

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 20,789 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now working to create the National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibitions, historical artifacts and extensive educational programming. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

Steve Groeninger
(202) 737-7135
[email protected]

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SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial