Flags will be lowered next week for the annual observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is an observance in this country that pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. It is celebrated May 15 of each year.

This year, the names of 282 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. The names include 118 officers who were killed during 2023, plus 164 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

Hartford Police Detective Robert Carl Garten’s name is among the 2024 Roll Call of Heroes. Detective Garten died September 6, 2023, after his patrol car was hit by a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop in Hartford. He was 34 years old.

There are currently 24,067 names engraved on the Memorial.

The names of all 282 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil to be held on the National Mall at 8 pm Monday, May 13. For more information, go to nleomf.org/memorial/programs.

President Biden will order all flags to half-staff on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day.