2026 -- S 3278

========

LC006456

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING MAY 10 THROUGH MAY 16, 2026, AS "NATIONAL POLICE

WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ALL POLICE AND

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF

DUTY

     Introduced By: Senators Tikoian, Lawson, Patalano, Appollonio, Vargas, Raptakis,
Ciccone, Felag, LaMountain, and McKenney

     Date Introduced: May 12, 2026

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, In 1962, President John Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring May 15th

of each year to be National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May

15th falls as National Police Week. In 1994, President Bill Clinton directed that the United States

flag be flown at half-staff on May 15th of each year in honor of law enforcement officers who

have lost their lives in the line of duty; and

     WHEREAS, During the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, Rhode Islanders

remember and honor all the brave men and women serving as police and law enforcement

officers, and who, through the years, have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the public and

preserving the rule of law throughout our nation. In 2025, 111 police officers died in the line of

duty across America; and

     WHEREAS, According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, 347 police officers

were shot in 2025, and in 2024 it is estimated that 85,700 police officers were assaulted while

performing their duties. Former FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has stated that on average, a law

enforcement officer is murdered more often than every five days in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), a nonprofit

organization that tracks line-of-duty law enforcement fatalities, reports that since 1791, there have

been more than 27,000 known line-of-duty deaths nationwide, including 54 from the State of

Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Each year during National Police Week, approximately 40,000 attendees

congregate in Washington D.C., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to attend

vigils and services honoring the memory of all the police and law enforcement officers who have

perished serving our nation in the line of duty; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates May

10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" in the State of Rhode Island in

remembrance of all police and law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of

duty; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of the resolution to the International Brotherhood of Police Officers,

Mr. Patrick Yoes, National President, Fraternal Order of Police, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs

Association, and the Rhode Island Troopers Association.

========

LC006456

========

LC006456 - Page 2 of 2