Declare Police Week May 12-18

Senate Resolution No. 427 BY: Senator GALLIVAN MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18, 2019, as Police Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18, 2019, 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 2019 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 being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including 148 officers killed in 2018; this is a 20 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, 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 30th Annual Candlelight Vigil, on the evening of May 13, 2019; and WHEREAS, May 15, 2019, 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 which diligently contributes to the efficient operation of our criminal justice system; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18, 2019, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, 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.