HAPCOA Participates in NATIONAL POLICE WEEK Activities

(Washington, DC) In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

National Police Week draws approx 30,000+ attendees who come from municipal, county, state, and University police departments throughout the US as well as from all Federal law enforcement agencies.

On Sunday, May 13, 2018, the National Peace Officers Memorial Fund sponsored its 30^th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall. In 2017 alone, 129 officers were killed in the line of duty. Since 1791, a total of 21,541 officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. One of the most moving ceremonies is the Annual Candlelight Vigil, where the names of fallen officers will be forever etched into the Memorial Wall.

HAPCOA was invited to attend as a VIP organization that has supported the National Peace Officers Memorial, the Memorial Museum and the Memorial Fund.

HAPCOA’s Executive Director Anthony Chapa was invited to attend the pre-event activities and also witnessed the 30^th Annual Candlelight Vigil.

On Monday, May 14, 2018, HAPCOA was invited to attend a Department of Justice Police Week Reception, hosted by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Representing HAPCOA were National President Rich Rosa (retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal), Executive Director Tony Chapa (retired Assistant Director US Secret Service) and HAPCOA NCR Chapter President Captain Joe Perez (Prince Georges County Police Department). The HAPCOA representatives had a unique opportunity to meet and speak with several senior DOJ Officials to include Attorney General Jeff Sessions (who was presented with a HAPCOA Lapel Pin), with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Also invited to attend were representatives of the IACP, NOBLE, NLPOA, NSA, FOP and several other national law enforcement organizations.

Other events during National Police Week included the Annual US Capitol Memorial Service, events for Survivors and the FOP Tent City activities.

HAPCOA’s Tony Chapa & Sheriff Jim McDonnell of Los Angeles County (the nation’s largest Sheriff’s Department) visit at the Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC.

Invited to attend Attorney General’s Police Week Reception: HAPCOA NCR President Captain Joe Perez (Prince Georges County Police), HAPCOA National President Rich Rosa (retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal), Cindy Rodriguez, National President National Latino Peace Officers Association (retired LT Las Vegas Metro PD), and HAPCOA Executive Director Tony Chapa (retired Assistant Director US Secret Service).