Senate Resolution No. 1640

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 12-18, 2024, as Police Week in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 12-18, 2024, as Police Week in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Police
Week; and

WHEREAS, This observance is to recognize National Police Week 2024
and to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers
killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and
safeguarding our democracy; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962,
National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement
officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety
and protection of others; and

WHEREAS, There are roughly 900,000 law enforcement officers serving
in communities across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers are
reported each year, resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries; and

WHEREAS, Since the first recorded death in 1791, more than 20,000
law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate
sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, The names of these dedicated public servants are engraved
on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in
Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, New names of fallen heroes are continuously added to the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial each year, including 135
officers killed in 2016; this is a 10 percent increase over the 123 who
died in the line of duty in 2015, and is the highest total since 2011,
when 177 officers made the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 2017, 186 officers were killed in the line
of duty, with 187 officers killed in the line of duty the following
year; 155 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2019, 385 officers
were killed in the line of duty in 2020, 479 officers were killed in the
line of duty in 2021, 226 officers were killed in the line of duty in
2022, and astonishingly, 556 officers were killed in the line of duty in
2023; and

WHEREAS, The service and sacrifice of all officers killed in the
line of duty will be honored during the National Law Enforcement

Officers Memorial Fund's 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil, and May 15,
2024, is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of all
fallen officers and their families; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
long-standing efforts of law enforcement in the State of New York who
diligently contribute to the efficient operation of our criminal justice
system; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate the assault,
injury and death of our valued police officers at the local, State and
national levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 12-18, 2024, as Police
Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund; the Concerns
of Police Survivors; and the Fraternal Order of Police.