33rd Candlelight Vigil honored 701 fallen LEOs during Police Weekend 2021
Each officer's name was read as a part of the ceremony and etched on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
By Police1 Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, 701 new names of fallen law enforcement officers were formally dedicated during the 33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil. Those names include 434 who died in 2019 and 2020, according to a press release from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).
The annual vigil, part of Police Weekend 2021, was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. ET. You can view the entire vigil below.
“The stories behind each of the 701 new names […] are so special,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “To pay them proper tribute, each of their names will be read as a part of the ceremony and will be forever etched on the walls of the Memorial and in the hearts of an eternally grateful nation. To them and the families that they represent, and to all law enforcement professionals who serve each day to protect us, thank you.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland led the candle lighting and reading of the fallen officers' names. Guest speakers included: Rev. Markel Hutchins, leader of the National Faith & Blue Weekend; Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security; Emilio Miyares, the former president of the non-profit C.O.P.S.; and Lori Sharpe Day, an NLEOMF board member.
Click here to find the names of officers added to the memorial.
For more information about the vigil and National Police Week events, see here.
A beautiful, yet somber evening on the National Mall for the @NLEOMF #CandlelightVigil. Tonight we remember the service & sacrifice of America’s law enforcement heroes who died in the line of duty, and honor their loved ones who have given so much too. pic.twitter.com/KaLiQHgi2K
— Chuck Wexler (@CWexlerPERF) October 14, 2021
As candles glow tonight during the @NLEOMF Vigil, we renew our vow to #NeverForget the cops who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Seven-hundred and one names read — men and women who ran toward the danger to help those they proudly served. 🎥https://t.co/DT5zFQ2WU0 pic.twitter.com/1hJa3BqVmh
— Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) October 14, 2021
Today @CBP is honoring 701 fallen LEOs during the 33rd Candlelight Vigil at National Police Week 2021. #PoliceWeek2021 pic.twitter.com/wHV4wFhnjc
— (A) Director of Field Operations Joseph Martella (@DFOBaltimore) October 15, 2021
Members of the @LubbockPolice Honor Guard are in Washington, D.C., this week to honor the memory & sacrifice of Ofc. Nicholas Reyna during National Police Week.
— Lubbock Police Dept. (@LubbockPolice) October 15, 2021
Last night, they attended the candlelight vigil w/ members of Ofc. Reyna’s family, where his name was read. pic.twitter.com/3wZcCQvqvL