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Watch: 34th Candlelight Vigil honors 619 fallen LEOs during National Police Week
This year's vigil was the largest event held in person in three years
By Police1 Staff
WASHINGTON — More than 20,000 people gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Friday, May 13 to honor 619 fallen law enforcement officers during the 34th Candlelight Vigil.
The vigil, which is held annually during National Police Week by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), honored the officers by engraving their names on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. This year's vigil was the largest event held in person in three years.
Law enforcement officers, family members and supporters gather each year to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year's fallen officers, along with those who have fallen over years past, were mourned and remembered. One of those family members attending the vigil was Sandy Munday, sister of Fairfax County (Virginia) Detective Vicky Armel, who was killed in 2006 after a carjacker opened fire on her and Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino.
"I miss my sister, I mean it's heartbreaking coming here but then you remember her and her sacrifice," Munday told WUSA9.com. "It's sad but it's special. Crying on outside, happy on the inside, because she's not forgotten. They say gone, but not forgotten, and they mean that."
Watch the 34th Candlelight Vigil below.
Here are scenes from the vigil documented on Twitter from police departments and the NLEOMF.
Last night the National Mall was lit by candlelight as law enforcement officers, survivors, and supporters gathered to honor and remember the 619 fallen heroes being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/92WGEK3mHM
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 14, 2022
We were honored to have had @SXMTheHighway host, @stormewarren at last night's Candlelight Vigil. He read the names of fallen heroes from the state of OR and his native state of OK.
— National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund (@NLEOMF) May 14, 2022
Moments before the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil, we had the chance to catch up.#PoliceWeek pic.twitter.com/uPO1qByiWh
Last night we joined our law enforcement family from across the country to honor and remember our nation’s fallen #LawEnforcement heroes at the #PoliceWeek Candlelight vigil. pic.twitter.com/JudZchrtQX
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 14, 2022
At tonight’s @NLEOMF 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil. This year, 619 new names of fallen L.E.O were engraved on the walls of the National L.E.O Memorial in Washington, DC - including 33 of our #NYPD fallen heroes. We honor and remember these brave heroes. We will #NeverForget. pic.twitter.com/DHoSHPO5U6
— NYPD Ceremonial Unit (@NYPDCeremonial) May 14, 2022
So appropriate that tonight’s #CandlelightVigil be on the National Mall w/ the US Capitol as the backdrop. There heroes made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities & preserving our democracy. #NationalPoliceWeek @NLEOMF pic.twitter.com/o3Btjm4i5C
— Chuck Wexler (@CWexlerPERF) May 14, 2022
An amazing sense of pride at the @NLEOMF Vigil as NYPD Detective Lauren Leggio sings the National Anthem in the glow of candlelight honoring our fallen law enforcement heroes. We will #NeverForget. #PoliceWeek pic.twitter.com/yYSmFDcVVP
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) May 14, 2022
We are now reading the names of this nation's fallen #LawEnforcement heroes.
— National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund (@NLEOMF) May 14, 2022
Watch as we light the memorial candle, and pass the flame to everyone joining us tonight: https://t.co/fCTYY2zOHq pic.twitter.com/RmHJr3MD90
#TheProfession we love provides an opportunity to make a difference, but it can also demand from you everything in return. As candles glow tonight at the @NLEOMF Vigil, we renew our vow to #NeverForget the fallen — cops who made the ultimate sacrifice.
— Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) May 13, 2022
🎥https://t.co/BnDrbxNekG pic.twitter.com/SsFjTrCVsQ