President Donald J. Trump proclaimed May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16 as Police Week.
In a proclamation dated May 11, Trump paid tribute to law enforcement officers who safeguard families and communities, honoring those killed in the line of duty and pledging support for their families and for injured officers.
Trump blamed prior soft-on-crime policies, illegal immigration, and cashless bail programs for a surge in crime that endangered officers before he took office.
Since returning to office, Trump has directed federal resources to high-crime cities to aid local police and moved to end so-called “sanctuary state” laws from the Biden-Harris administration.
Those steps, Trump said, have lowered crime to a record low in the nation’s capital, restored peace to cities, and dropped on-duty law enforcement deaths to an 80-year low, with sharp declines in rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, shooting deaths, traffic fatalities, and overdose deaths.
Trump highlighted signing last summer the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which eliminates taxes on overtime pay for police, and an Executive Order on Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans, which bans cashless bail in the federal system for public safety threats.
The proclamation recommits to backing law enforcement, locking up violent criminals, and ensuring public safety nationwide. Trump called on Americans to mark the week with ceremonies and directed governors and officials to fly flags at half-staff on May 15.
A 1962 law, as amended, authorizes the President to make the designations.
Events in Washington, D.C. include a “Candlelight Vigil hosted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) National Survivors Conference, and the cornerstone of the week, the Fraternal Order of Police National Peace Officers Memorial Service on May 15th at the West Front of the United States Capitol,” according to Police Week.org.
In the local metroplex, the Dallas Police Department held its annual Police Memorial Ceremony this year on May 5. The Fort Worth Police Department held its memorial ceremony on May 6.
