Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013

Proclamation 8979 of May 10, 2013

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Day after day, police officers in every corner of
America suit up, put on the badge, and carry out their
sworn duty to protect and serve. They step out the door
every morning without considering bravery or heroics.
They stay focused on meeting their responsibilities.
They concentrate on keeping their neighborhoods safe
and doing right by their fellow officers. And with
quiet courage, they help fulfill the demanding yet
vital task of shielding our people from harm. It is
work that deserves our deepest respect--because when
darkness and danger would threaten the peace, our
police officers are there to step in, ready to lay down
their lives to protect our own.

This week, we pay solemn tribute to men and women who
did. Setting aside fear and doubt, these officers made
the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the rule of law and
the communities they loved. They heard the call to
serve and answered it; braved the line of fire; charged
toward the danger. Our hearts are heavy with their
loss, and on Peace Officers Memorial Day, our Nation
comes together to reflect on the legacy they left us.

As we mark this occasion, let us remember that we can
do no greater service to those who perished than by
upholding what they fought to protect. That means doing
everything we can to make our communities safer. It
means putting cops back on the beat and supporting them
with the tools and training they need. It means getting
weapons of war off our streets and keeping guns out of
the hands of criminals--common-sense measures that
would reduce gun violence and help officers do their
job safely and effectively.

Together, we can accomplish those goals. So as we take
this time to honor law enforcement in big cities and
small towns all across our country, let us join them in
pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. Our police officers
serve and sacrifice on our behalf every day, and as
citizens, we owe them nothing less than our full and
lasting support.

By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as
amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as
amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been
authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each
year as ``Peace Officers Memorial Day'' and the week in
which it falls as ``Police Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15,
2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through
May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans
to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and
activities. I also call on Governors of the United
States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials
of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States, and appropriate officials of all
units of government, to direct that the flag be flown
at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further
encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-
staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.