On average, one law enforcement officer is killed somewhere in America nearly every other day. May 15th is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. It is the day that we honor and remember the more than 15,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the United States, since the first recorded police death in 1792.

This year, that reflection is even more heightened due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. That was the deadliest day in law enforcement history, when 70 law enforcement officers were killed in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. Our sympathies go out to all who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.

As well, it is just as important that we do not forget those closer to home. Statistics reveal 141 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Connecticut. In Stamford, four officers have died in the line of duty. Take the time to read about them, how they died, the ultimate sacrifice they made, and the families they left behind. Please remember them. I know we do.

Every May 15th the Stamford Police Department holds a Memorial Service honoring Officers killed in the line of duty. We will be honoring Stamford Officers as well as Officers from neighboring towns. Show your respect and appreciation for these Police Officers and to their families by joining us in honoring them. (Call ahead for event time and location, 977-4444).

Facts About Law Enforcement Fatalities

• The leading cause of law enforcement fatalities during the past century was, by far, by firearms. Nearly 7,000 officers were shot to death, accounting for about 49% of all law enforcement fatalities over the past 100 years.
  
  
• During the early part of the past century, the second leading cause of police deaths were motorcycle accidents. As law enforcement began to increasingly rely more and more on the automobile, motorcycle deaths declined, during the latter half of the century.
  
  
• Prior to 1973, (Officer McNamara's death), a Stamford Police Officer's uniform had only one patch on one sleeve. A second patch was added to the other sleeve after this tragic incident thus making the police officer more identifiable in his uniform.
  
  Click here to learn more facts about law enforcement fatalities at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Web site.
  
  Click here to learn more about The Connecticut Police Chiefs Law Enforcement Memorial.