The thin blue line..

In 1962, President Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.

The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil.

National Police Week draws in between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. 

 These events are open to all law enforcement personnel and are an experience unlike any other.  the Greenville Police Department is well represented at this event.  The GPD Honor Guard is there, as are several police officers who annually take their vacations to attend this week-long observance.

One of the highlights of Police Week is the illumination of the the laser during the candle light vigil,...representing the thin blue line.

Greenville Police Officers at Police Memorial Week, 2013