Updated Mon., 5/14 – Again this year, communities across the United States will come together during National Police Week-May 13-19-to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

This year, the names of 362 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 362 officers include 162 officers who were killed during 2011, plus 199 officers who died in previous years but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

“Our Mission Statement is the protection of the public’s life and property and maintenance of public peace and lawful social order,” said Oneida County Sheriff Jeff Hoffman. “I feel very honored to serve as Sheriff to these highly dedicated and very capable law enforcement officers.”

The names of all 362 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil on Sunday evening.

The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2012. The national observance is organized by a group of organizations led by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), Concerns of Police Survivors, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary.

On May 15 each year, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary host a ceremony on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol to honor fallen law enforcement officers and their families.

In tribute to American law enforcement officers and at the request of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Public Law 103-322 designates May 15 National Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is one of only two days each year during which government agencies, businesses and residents are to fly their U.S. flags at half staff.

For more information about National Police Week, visit LawMemorial.org/policeweek.