National Police Week 2022 (May 11 - 17)

National Police Week is celebrated annually on May 15th per the 1962 proclamation signed by late President John F. Kennedy. This order states that men and women shall honor the courageous men and women who risk their lives daily in the line of duty (past and present). May 15th be designated as the national “Peace Officers Memorial Day.” During police week, law enforcement agencies, family, friends, and colleagues from across the nation come to Washington, DC, for a number of observances to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of our communities. Included in these observances this year (May 2022) was Group Supervisor Michael Garbo; his name was forever etched on the granite wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial located at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial in Memorial Park, Washington D.C. Among Garbo. Six hundred nineteen other officers were added to this wall; all lost their lives in the line of duty.

SAC Cheri Oz (Phoenix, AZ) “Having Agent Garbo memorialized on the wall is something I don't know that we'll ever be able to put into words how that feels.”

Among the significant events included the Black and Blue Bike tour, part of the Police Unity Tour. For the past 25 years, law enforcement members and the survivors of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty have come from all over the United States to unite for this ride that pays tribute to fallen law enforcement heroes. The annual ride starts in New Jersey and ends in D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. For 2022, riding for Agent Garbo was Tim Phillips from Harriman, TN. Mr. Phillips has been riding for the Police Unity Tour since 2007 and states it was an honor to ride for Agent Garbo. All newly engraved names on the memorial are formally dedicated during the Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall lawn. The names of the fallen are read aloud during the Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year 619 names of fallen officers were read during the ceremony by local, state, federal law enforcement agencies. DEA Administrator Ann Milgram read DEA GS Michael G. Garbo's name. The official National Peace Officers Memorial is held at the Nation's Capital, where over 500 families place carnations on these memorial wreaths to wrap up the week of activities. After each name was called and each carnation was placed on the wreath, each family received “The Supreme Sacrifice Medal of Honor.” Each wreath is then relocated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the wreath-laying ceremony to be displayed for all who enter to remember these outstanding men and women.