Virginia Beach Police Department Recognizes National Police Week with Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

Today the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) held its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, recognizing the men and women who served as police officers, sheriff deputies, federal agents, and other law enforcement professionals who died in the line of duty. The annual event is a demonstration of gratitude for their courage, dedication to peace keeping, diligent efforts to keep our communities safe, and their ultimate sacrifice.

Attendees heard remarks from Governor Glen Youngkin, Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate, Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle, and Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer.

“To choose a profession where one must show up, again and again, and face people on their worst days, in times of tragedy and grief, takes a strong sense of duty” said Police Chief Paul Neudigate. “And in the case of the men and women we are commemorating today, that sense of service followed them through their careers until they made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our community. Today, and every day, we remember them.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. The event was formally established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, and to this day, remains a national week of remembrance, gratitude, and healing.

During this National Police Week, we honor all of the men and women who protect and proudly serve our community as we give special recognition to those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.