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Peace Officers Memorial Day honored

Amata and police officers
Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata's Office- Washington D.C

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring American Samoa’s police, highlighting National Police Week, and recognizing National Peace Officers Memorial Day (Sunday, May 15).

 “I join all Americans in celebrating the law enforcement officers who keep us safe, day in and day out,” Amata said. “Our police officers across the country, and in American Samoa, do so much to protect our communities and serve our people. Police Week fittingly includes Peace Officers Memorial Day, during which we remember all those who have perished in the line of duty. Sadly, our community knows of this kind of loss, and I will be thinking of those brave officers who were taken from us on island and on the mainland.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and National Police Week was also established that year with a joint resolution of Congress. The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum will hold the 34th annual Candlelight Vigil for fallen officers, including 619 names added to the Wall at the Memorial this year.

“In American Samoa, our police are crucial to responding to everything from traffic accidents to domestic violence reports to combating the drug epidemic. All this work can be difficult and dangerous, but our society depends on it,” continued Amata.

“A key issue facing our island is the drug epidemic, and our police officers are key to combating it. I will not rest until American Samoa receives the federal support it needs to face this and other problems plaguing our community.

“Law enforcement can be at times a thankless profession, but without these brave men and women we would all be worse off,” she concluded. “Our police officers deserve more than a week of celebration, but I take this opportunity to recognize and thank all of them for their service.”