J 142: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 11-17, 2025, as Police Week in the State of New York

 Senate Resolution No. 142 BY: Senator GALLIVAN MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 11-17, 2025, 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 11-17, 2025, 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 2025 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 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil, and May 15, 2025, 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 11-17, 2025, 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.