Read the full stored bill text
S3278
2026 -- S 3278
========
LC006456
========
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING MAY 10 THROUGH MAY 16, 2026, AS "NATIONAL POLICE
WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ALL POLICE AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF
DUTY
Introduced By:
Senators Tikoian, Lawson, Patalano, Appollonio, Vargas, Raptakis,
Ciccone, Felag, LaMountain, and McKenney
Date Introduced:
May 12, 2026
Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
1
WHEREAS, In 1962, President John Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring May 15th
2
of each year to be National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May
3
15th falls as National Police Week. In 1994, President Bill Clinton directed that the United States
4
flag be flown at half-staff on May 15th of each year in honor of law enforcement officers who
5
have lost their lives in the line of duty; and
6
WHEREAS, During the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, Rhode Islanders
7
remember and honor all the brave men and women serving as police and law enforcement
8
officers, and who, through the years, have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the public and
9
preserving the rule of law throughout our nation. In 2025, 111 police officers died in the line of
10
duty across America; and
11
WHEREAS, According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, 347 police officers
12
were shot in 2025, and in 2024 it is estimated that 85,700 police officers were assaulted while
13
performing their duties. Former FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has stated that on average, a law
14
enforcement officer is murdered more often than every five days in the United States; and
15
WHEREAS, According to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), a nonprofit
16
organization that tracks line-of-duty law enforcement fatalities, reports that since 1791, there have
17
been more than 27,000 known line-of-duty deaths nationwide, including 54 from the State of
18
Rhode Island; and
1
WHEREAS, Each year during National Police Week, approximately 40,000 attendees
2
congregate in Washington D.C., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to attend
3
vigils and services honoring the memory of all the police and law enforcement officers who have
4
perished serving our nation in the line of duty; now, therefore be it
5
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates May
6
10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" in the State of Rhode Island in
7
remembrance of all police and law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of
8
duty; and be it further
9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
10
transmit duly certified copies of the resolution to the International Brotherhood of Police Officers,
11
Mr. Patrick Yoes, National President, Fraternal Order of Police, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs
12
Association, and the Rhode Island Troopers Association.
========
LC006456
========
LC006456 - Page 2 of 2