Police Week. What is it and what does it mean? Published May 14, 2007 FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- On Oct. 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of federal, state, and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. The law also directed the officials of the government to display the United States flag at half-staff on all government buildings on this day and designated the calendar week during which May 15 occurs as Police Week. This is in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard to protect the public through enforcement of the law. Public Law 87-726 went on to authorize the governments of the states and communities and the people of the United States to observe such day and week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including displaying the flag at half-staff. In 1994, Public Law 87-726 was amended by Public Law 103-322 by the 103rd Congress as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322, which names May 15 National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.