Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 14, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke honors National Peace Officers Memorial Day

OLYMPIA — To honor the courage and dedication of Washington law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day, Gov. Gary Locke asked that all state and U.S. flags be lowered to half-staff for National Peace Officers Memorial Day on Saturday, May 15.

"These men and women who keep peace in our neighborhoods and schools gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, to protect our citizens," Locke said. "Please join me in recognizing their heroism."

Peace Officers Memorial Day is part of National Police Week, May 12-16. May 15 was designated National Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. It was amended by the 103rd Congress as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322, which directs that the flag of the United States on all government buildings be displayed at half-staff on May 15.

Flags on all government buildings will be lowered on Friday afternoon and remain lowered until Monday morning.

In Washington, three officers died in the line of duty in 1998:

- Officer Mike Marshall, Omak Police Department (March 26)
- Lt. Jim Davis, Ocean Shores Police Department (April 26)
- Agent Walter Scott Panchison, U.S. Border Patrol (October 23)

So far this year, Officer Mark Brown of King County Police Department was killed in the line of duty.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive