Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013 - Historical Half-Staff Archive

Historical notice: this observance has ended. This independent FORTISVEX resource preserves a past presidential proclamation; it is not a government notice.

Remembering officers who died in service

Proclamation 8979 honors law enforcement officers who lost their lives serving their communities. President Obama's tribute begins with the daily responsibilities of police work and turns to the officers who made what he calls the ultimate sacrifice. Its remembrance is paired with a call for lasting support for those who continue to serve.

The document also contains the President's policy views on community safety, training, and gun violence. Those statements appear in the full official text below as part of the historical record. They are clearly separated from this site's explanation of the observance.

One memorial day within a week of recognition

The proclamation names May 15, 2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18 as Police Week. Its half-staff language refers to the memorial day, not the entire week. President Obama calls on governors and other government officials to direct half-staff display and encourages Americans to display the flag at half-staff at homes and businesses on that day.

The text cites the 1962 joint resolution, as amended, and Public Law 103–322 as the authority for the recurring designation. This article records the specific 2013 proclamation. It does not turn that past observance into a current instruction or assume that every year's calendar is identical.

May 10 is the formal document date used for this archive's post date. May 15 is both the memorial observance and the Federal Register publication date. No numerical starting or ending hour is stated in the proclamation.

Full official proclamation text

Proclamation 8979 of May 10, 2013 — Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Day after day, police officers in every corner of America suit up, put on the badge, and carry out their sworn duty to protect and serve. They step out the door every morning without considering bravery or heroics. They stay focused on meeting their responsibilities. They concentrate on keeping their neighborhoods safe and doing right by their fellow officers. And with quiet courage, they help fulfill the demanding yet vital task of shielding our people from harm. It is work that deserves our deepest respect—because when darkness and danger would threaten the peace, our police officers are there to step in, ready to lay down their lives to protect our own.

This week, we pay solemn tribute to men and women who did. Setting aside fear and doubt, these officers made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the rule of law and the communities they loved. They heard the call to serve and answered it; braved the line of fire; charged toward the danger. Our hearts are heavy with their loss, and on Peace Officers Memorial Day, our Nation comes together to reflect on the legacy they left us.

As we mark this occasion, let us remember that we can do no greater service to those who perished than by upholding what they fought to protect. That means doing everything we can to make our communities safer. It means putting cops back on the beat and supporting them with the tools and training they need. It means getting weapons of war off our streets and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals—common-sense measures that would reduce gun violence and help officers do their job safely and effectively.

Together, we can accomplish those goals. So as we take this time to honor law enforcement in big cities and small towns all across our country, let us join them in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. Our police officers serve and sacrifice on our behalf every day, and as citizens, we owe them nothing less than our full and lasting support.

By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103–322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136–137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as ‘‘Peace Officers Memorial Day’’ and the week in which it falls as ‘‘Police Week.’’

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

Official federal proclamation text from Federal Register pages 28713–28714. Page headings and line wrapping are omitted for readability; the signature is represented by the name above.

Verify the official documents

Read or download the official proclamation PDF from GovInfo · Read the Federal Register record

Browse related historical notices in the Presidential Half-Staff Archive.

Signature page from the official published proclamation

Select the published page to open the complete official PDF.

Preparing a remembrance display

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