In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week determining the dates for National Police Week 2012 — Sunday, May 13th through Saturday, May 19th.
At the conclusion of the 31st Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol, leaders of the Fraternal Order of Police, the FOP Auxiliary, Concerns of Police Survivors and the Memorial Fund brought the wreath from the Capitol to the Memorial to remain under the watch of honor guards from all over the country for the rest of the evening.
At midnight, a lone piper will walk through the Memorial, and the flags will be returned to full staff, signaling the end of Peace Officers Memorial Day.