Murkowski Takes Lead to Honor Law Enforcement Fallen, Families
Senator’s “National Police Survivors Day” Passes Senate
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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