26th Annual Candlelight Vigil

Last night, the nation paused to formally dedicate the names of 286 fallen law enforcement heroes, added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2013. Of the 286 names, 100 were officers killed in the line
of duty during 2013 and 186 were names of officers previously
undiscovered.

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. delivered poignant keynote remarks
and led the lighting of candles and reading of the fallen officers’ names

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, and Madeline Neumann, National
President of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), also participated in the
annual tribute to fallen officers, a special part of the National Police Week
observance in the nation’s capital.

The evening’s program also featured musical tributes and a special
recognition of survivors of fallen officers, as well as some dignitaries and
guests, including Senator Lisa Murkowski representing the state of Alaska.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund also partnered with
Clear Channel Outdoor to raise awareness across the country to honor these
fallen officers, as well as raise awareness about the annual Candlelight Vigil
and United By Light events and virtual candle wall. And for the sixth
year in a row, USA Today has printed a quarter page ad in honor of the
100 officers who died in 2013.

The national monument now contains the names of 20,267 fallen law
enforcement officers—from all 50 states; the District of Columbia; U.S.
territories; federal law enforcement, corrections, railroad and military
police agencies—who have died in the performance of duty throughout
U.S. history, dating back to the first known officer death in 1791.

Special thanks to Officer.com for providing a free webcast of last night’s services.