This week is National Police Week, and this past Monday (May 15th) was National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day to honor the lives of officers who have died in the line of duty.

National Police Week officially began in 1962 under President Kennedy. The memorial that commemorates the lives of fallen officers (the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service) began as a small ceremony of survivors and supporters of law enforcement.

It then quickly grew into a series of weeklong events that attract thousands. Sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and the Concerns of Police Survivors, this week draws anywhere from 25,000 to 40,000 people together in Washington D.C.

Meanwhile, throughout the week, communities and police departments across the country will hold events to recognize the hard work of law enforcement agencies. The events also honor those who died in the line of duty. (Click here to see the full list of fallen officers in 2017).

Ways Communities are Honoring Police this Week

• On Monday, the White House officially went blue in honor of National Police Week.
• A Virginia community held a community cookout to honor and thank their local law enforcement agencies.
• The Houston Police Department is hosting a tour open to the public. They also are holding a day of prayer, an awards ceremony, and community luncheon this week.
• Many funeral homes across the country are holding cookouts and memorial services to honor their local law enforcement agencies. For instance, this South Carolina funeral home will host its 4th annual police appreciation cookout.
• In Madison, Wisconsin, the police department will hold an event with music, food, and festivities. The event gives the community the chance to meet and talk with their local police officers.

How Your Funeral Home Can Honor Local Law Enforcement

Here are some ideas for how your funeral home can show its support for local law enforcement during National Police Week:

• Turn your funeral home blue. Swap for blue tinted lights outside and around the funeral home.
• Hold your own block party cookout or luncheon to show thanks for community law enforcement.
• In addition to a cookout, your funeral home can put on a memorial service to honor the lives of fallen officers and support the families of fallen officers.
• Another way to get involved is to sponsor a Run for the Badge event. Money raised from the 5k goes toward the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.
• You also can organize a group to attend a Law Enforcement Appreciation Event.
• Plan a third-party event, such as an appreciation night or golf tournament, to raise money for the memorial fund.
• Finally, a simple way to show appreciation is to stop and thank a police officer the next time you see them.

How does your funeral home honor local law enforcement? Share your stories with us in the comments below!