The Bellevue Police Honor Guard is in Washington, D.C. for the annual Candlelight Vigil honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Each year during Police Week, the names of the previous years’ fallen officers are formally dedicated and added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. This year the names of 371 Officers will be added, including three from Washington state: Pierce County Deputy Daniel McCartney, Detective Derrick Focht, and Officer Diego Moreno, both with the Kent Police Department.

Tens of thousands of law enforcement officer converge on Washington, DC for the annual ceremony. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week as Police Week. Since that time, there have been nearly 22,000 names engraved on the Memorial.

“The men and women of the Bellevue Police Department and all law enforcement across the country serve at great personal risk every day. It’s important that we step back and recognize their sacrifice and remember those who have paid the ultimate price,” said Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett.

The Bellevue City Council also proclaimed May 12- 18, 2019 as Police Week in Bellevue. Assistant Chief Carl Kleinknecht received the proclamation that encourages all Bellevue residents and businesses to recognize and express appreciation for our law enforcement officer and their honorable commitment to public service.