WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senator
Murkowski’s resolution designating Saturday, May 14, 2011 as “National
Police Survivors Day” – honoring family members who live with loss after
those closest to them make the ultimate sacrifice.
“Every year, America loses hundreds of men and women in the line of duty –
and their families lose fathers, mothers, sons or daughters,” Murkowski said.
“I am proud my resolution sets aside a day for everyone across the country to
remember the lives these heroes gave to keep us safe, and the people they left
behind.”
Each year tens of thousands of law enforcement families from
around the country descend on Washington, D.C. to honor fallen law enforcement
officers during National Police Week. This year 316 names will be added to the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial – including three Alaskans: Hoonah
police officers Matthew Tokuoka and Anthony Wallace, and Customs and Border
Protection Officer Charles Collins II. (Pictures from memorial are attached.)
During National Police Week, a National Police Survivors Conference
is held for survivors of law enforcement each year. The conference is
organized by Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a national support group
created in 1983 to ensure that the needs of family members and colleagues of
fallen law enforcement officers are met.
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