HAPCOA Participates in National Police Week Events 2026

(Washington DC) The Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association
(HAPCOA) each year remembers the officers who gave their lives in service and stands
in support of those who continue to serve our country and our communities.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared Peace Officers Memorial Day to be
observed on May 15 th and recognized the week that includes May 15th as National
Police week.

This year National Police Week activities began on Tuesday, May 5 th , with the Annual
Blue Mass held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in downtown Washington, DC.
Participating as a speaker during the Blue Mass was HAPCOA National Capitol Region
Chapter President Chief Michael Reese.

Chief Michael Reese addresses the Blue Mass.

Each year the names of officers killed in the line of duty are added to the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall. The names added to the memorial wall are read
aloud during the Annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate
sacrifice. The Annual Candlelight Vigil was held on May 13 th , 2026. This year marks
the 38 th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Reading aloud the names of fallen officers who were added to the memorial wall.

HAPCOA Member, Chief Paul Chapa, visits the Memorial Wall and finds the name of a fallen Officer.

HAPCOA Los Angeles Chapter member Dr. Alma Burke (retired LAPD and former
Assistant Chief of Operations at the University of Southern California) participated in
this year’s Police Unity Tour. This year’s tour included over 2,000 bicycle riders who
rode to honor fallen officers. Alma, a member of the Police Unity Tour Southern
California Chapter, rode 300 miles from New Jersey to Washington DC in memory of
her law enforcement partner and fellow Unity Tour rider LAPD Senior Lead Officer Paul
Jordan. On day 3 of her ride, she had the privilege of leading a peloton of 500 riders
into the memorial! The Police Unity Tour Ride-In and Ceremony 2026 was held on May
12, 2026.

Alma Burke celebrates making the 300-mile trek into Washington, DC

HAPCOA members were also invited to attend several Police Week receptions and
memorial services. Attending and representing HAPCOA were our National Secretary
Darnelly De Jesus (retired Assistant Director, US Secret Service), and HAPCOA
National Capitol Region Chapter President, Chief Michael Reese (Chief, DC Housing
Authority Police)

On May 11th , HAPCOA members attended the National Organization of Black Law
Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Region 2, Meet and Greet. This event brought
together law enforcement professionals and supporters from across the region to honor
service, build relationships, and foster a meaningful dialogue.

Darnelly De Jesus, Rene Hall (NOBLE President) and Michael Reese attend meet and greet.

On May 12th , HAPCOA members attended a networking reception hosted by the
National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety (NAPSPS) and National
Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

Also on May 12th , HAPCOA members attended the US Customs and Border Protection
& Valor Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building in
Washington DC.

On May 13th HAPCOA members were invited to attend the FBI’s Police Week Wall of
Honor Ceremony at FBI Headquarters. The keynote speaker was FBI Director Kash
Patel.

On May 14th HAPCOA members were invited to attend a coffee, in honor of Police
Week, with Speaker Mike Johnson at the US Capitol.

On May 14th HAPCOA members were invited to attend the DEA Memorial Service at
DEA HQ. This event began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the DEA Wall of Honor.
On May 15, 2026, the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and the Grand Lodge
Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary sponsored the National Peace Officers Memorial
Service held on the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. This
Service honors officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and pays tribute to all fallen
officers.

Other National Police Week events sponsored and attended by HAPCOA members
included:

On May 14th , Trinity University Police Department (San Antonio, TX) led by Chief Paul
Chapa (former HAPCOA National President), sponsored its yearly National Police Week
event on campus. Performing the National Anthem at this year’s event was 11-year-old
Marco Martinez from Floresville, TX. Marco is a finalist in the Texas Folklife Big
Squeeze accordion competition, earning him recognition as one of the top young
players in the State of Texas.

Marco Martinez receives the HAPCOA Patch from Executive Director Tony Chapa after his performance of the National Anthem on his accordion.

Trinity University Honor Guard and Marco Martinez present the Colors along with the National Anthem.

On May 16th , the HAPCOA San Antonio Chapter sponsored its annual National Police
Week Scholarship Loteria fundraiser. This year’s sold-out event was held at Veterans of
Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #2059. Chief Teresa Ramon of Judson ISD and former
HAPCOA National President organized the event. Attendees included Mary Ruiz,
current HAPCOA National President; Chief Don Tijerina, former National President; Lt.
Steve Reyna of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, National Vice President; and
Tony Chapa, Executive Director.