Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.
PR Newswire
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2026
The names of 363 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty to be honored and officially added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has formally announced that 363 names of U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2026. The names will be engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the month of April and properly dedicated during the 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil held on the National Mall between 4th and 7th streets in Washington, DC, at 8:00 pm on May 13, 2026.
The 2026 “Roll Call of Heroes” features the names of official line-of-duty fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. This includes 109 federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. In addition, 254 officers who died in previous years will also have their names inscribed this year. Their sacrifice is now being recognized after NLEOMF’s research staff confirmed the circumstances of their death and their record of law enforcement service.
“As we come together to honor the officers we’ve lost, we reflect not only on their sacrifice, but on the commitment that called them to serve,” said William Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “Their bravery and dedication leave a lasting mark on our nation and on all who follow in their footsteps. This is a moment to remember their stories, support their loved ones, and carry their legacy forward with enduring respect.”
Each May 13th, during National Police Week, an estimated 30,000 people attend the Candlelight Vigil ceremony in Washington, D.C., including surviving family members, friends, law enforcement colleagues, and others. The event brings people together from across the country to honor the officers and be surrounded by strength in remembering their service and ultimate sacrifice.
With these additions, there will now be 24,775 officers’ names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, campus and military police agencies.
The engraving process starts with a lengthy stencil and proofing procedure followed by a meticulous engraving and curing process. Once the engraving and curing process is finished, the covers are removed, and the panel is completed. The utmost care is taken not only in vetting and authenticating each name, but also to ensure that each is engraved on the Memorial to the degree that the integrity is forever maintained. The engraving process will begin with a brief ceremony on Tuesday, April 21st at 9:30 am EST and work is expected to be completed by the end of April.
The names of the 363 officers added to the National Memorial this year can be found at the Roll Call of Heroes, 2026. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.
For information on the National Law Enforcement Memorial please visit nleomf.org/memorial.
— www.NLEOMF.org —
About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 24,775 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.
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SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
