National Police Week: Respect. Honor. Remember.
East Texas Council of Governments • May 4, 2021
May 9-15, 2021
The ETCOG Public Safety team wishes to honor the service and sacrifice of East Texas law enforcement officers on this National Police Week.
"Our staff would like to show appreciation to those that serve and protect. We support our officers and the hard work they do every day. Thank you for your indispensable service to the region," said ETCOG Public Safety Director Stephanie Heffner.
National Police Week occurs every May. This year, the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund
will be commemorating it with virtual events that can be viewed from anywhere in the world.
What is National Police Week?
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. 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.
National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community.
The principal organizers of National Police Week include:
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (N.L.E.O.M.F.), which produces the annual Candlelight Vigil.
Phone: 202.737.3400 | vigil@nleomf.org | https://nleomf.org - Fraternal Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary (FOP/FOPA), which organizes the Peace Officers Memorial Day Service at the U.S. Capitol. www.policeweek.org
- Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), which holds the National Police Survivors' Conference.
Phone: (573) 346-4911 | cops@nationalcops.org | www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12–18, 2026 , honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the public safety telecommunicators who answer the call when emergencies happen. Held each year during the second week of April, the observance recognizes the professionals who serve as the critical first point of contact in emergency situations. At ETCOG, we are proud to recognize the telecommunicators who serve communities across our region. Their work requires professionalism, compassion, quick thinking, and a steadfast commitment to public safety. In moments of crisis, they provide calm, skilled support and help connect people to the emergency services they need. In 2025 , telecommunicators in ETCOG’s service area answered more than 174,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 20,000 9-1-1 texts . Behind each of those numbers is a person in need of help and a trained telecommunicator ready to respond. ETCOG supports the region’s dispatch offices through training, equipment upgrades, and management of the regional 9-1-1 system. These efforts help ensure telecommunicators have the tools, technology, and resources needed to serve the public effectively and efficiently. During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we extend our sincere appreciation to the men and women who help keep our communities safe every day. Their work is essential, and their service makes a meaningful difference throughout East Texas.
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