Police Week is a time when law enforcement departments around the nation remember those who served and those who died in the line of duty. It includes the National Police Officers’ Memorial Service and candlelight vigils.  

From PoliceWeek.org:

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation’s Capital each year.

Roll Call decided to dig into our archives and found some of our more memorable photos of Capitol and the Metropolitan Police Department police officers. We even found a shot of the Capitol Pistol Team from 1956! We hope you enjoy our look at those who serve and protect.