Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags to be flown half-staff Thursday at all local and state buildings throughout Florida to honor law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
It’s a mark of respect, Scott said, for “all law enforcement officers who have heroically given their lives to protect and defend us.”
Thursday also is Peace Officers Memorial Day, which was first signed into law by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. As part of that observance, National Police Week continues in Washington D.C., which will includes tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world.
Part of that week long of events include a memorial service which first began in 1982 that features 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement.
The Officer Down Memorial Page reports that 105 officers were killed in the line of duty last year, including seven in Florida. So far this year, there have been 42 deaths nationwide, with three of them in Florida. That includes Florida Highway Patrol trooper Chelsea Richard, who was struck by a car on May 3.
