Senate Resolution No. 427

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        May  12-18, 2019, as Police Week in the State of New
        York

  WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative  Body  to  memorialize
Governor  Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12-18, 2019, as Police Week in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the  observance  of  National
Police Week; and

  WHEREAS,  This  observance is to recognize National Police Week 2019
and to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers
killed in  the  line  of  duty  while  protecting  our  communities  and
safeguarding our democracy; and

  WHEREAS,  In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National
Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar  week  in  which  May  15th
falls, as National Police Week; and

  WHEREAS,  Established  by  a  joint  resolution of Congress in 1962,
National Police Week pays special recognition to those  law  enforcement
officers  who  have  lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety
and protection of others; and

  WHEREAS, There are roughly 900,000 law enforcement officers  serving
in communities across the United States; and

  WHEREAS, Nearly 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers are
reported each year, resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  the  first recorded death in 1791, more than 20,000
law enforcement officers in the United States  have  made  the  ultimate
sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty; and

  WHEREAS,  The  names of these dedicated public servants are engraved
on the walls of  the  National  Law  Enforcement  Officers  Memorial  in
Washington, D.C.; and

  WHEREAS,  New names of fallen heroes are being added to the National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring,  including  148  officers
killed  in  2018; this is a 20 percent increase over the 123 who died in
the line of duty in 2015, and is the highest total since 2011, when  177
officers made the ultimate sacrifice; and

  WHEREAS,  The  service  and  sacrifice of all officers killed in the
line of duty  will  be  honored  during  the  National  Law  Enforcement
Officers  Memorial  Fund's 30th Annual Candlelight Vigil, on the evening
of May 13, 2019; and

  WHEREAS, May 15, 2019, is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day,
in honor of all fallen officers and their families; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative  Body  to  commend  the
long-standing  efforts of law enforcement in the State of New York which

diligently contributes  to  the  efficient  operation  of  our  criminal
justice system; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim  May  12-18,  2019,  as
Police Week in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New  York,  the  National  Law  Enforcement  Officers Memorial Fund, the
Concerns of Police Survivors, and the Fraternal Order of Police.