On average one law enforcement officer is killed in the line-of-duty in the United States every 57 hours.

As of today, 41 officers have been killed this year.  Today (Wednesday) May 15th is officially National Peace Officer Memorial Day, it's been set aside to honor those who have lost their lives in the line-of-duty.  A ceremony was held today in front of the Yakima Police Law and Justice Center, attended by local citizens and other local law  enforcement officers. Yakima Police Chief Dominic Rizzi  told the crowd that "Yakima has been fortunate to never lose an officer, but that is not due to a lack of effort by the criminal element, they continually try, we have superior quality officers here who are trained well, and that is why we persevere year after year."

Yakima Mayor Micah Cawley also addressed the crowd," On behalf of the people I represent, the Yakima City Council,  we want to say thank you for the service to our community, and let you know that we are right here behind you, to back you up, whenever you need us."

Last year 120 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty. President John F. Kennedy first set aside May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1971, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.

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