Law enforcement agencies representing local, state, and federal agencies today announced plans for the annual Peace Officer Memorial Week. May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been designated National Police Week since October 1, 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed into law Public Law 87-726.

It was not until May 15, 1982, that the first National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service was held in Washington, D.C. Activities during National Police week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and COPS' National Police Survivors' Seminars as well as the National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service. The National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service on May 15 draws thousands of officers and citizens from across the nation.

On Friday, May 17, 2013, representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies will gather for a special memorial service to be held on the Mary Costa Plaza behind the Civic Coliseum. The memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m.