U.S. Attorney’s Office Observes National Police Week 2023: Honoring and Remembering Our Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Again this year, communities across the United States will come together during National Police Week to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

This year, the names of 556 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These 556 officers include 224 officers who were killed during 2022, plus 332 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

The fallen officers honored this year include Officer Tyler Lenehan of the Elk Grove Police Department and Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. of the Selma Police Department. On Jan. 21, 2022, Officer Lenehan, while riding his department-issued motorcycle, was struck and killed by a wrong-way driver on Highway 99 near 47th Avenue in Sacramento. On Jan. 31, 2023, Officer Carrasco was shot and killed in the line of duty when he was flagged down by a homeowner regarding a suspicious man on her property. As Carrasco approached, the 23-year-old man immediately fired several shots, striking and killing Officer Carrasco.

“This is a time for all of us as Americans to honor and pay tribute to our law enforcement heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty protecting our communities and our country. We keep the families, friends and fellow officers of these heroes in our hearts and minds,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. “We will never forget their sacrifice.”

May 7 Candlelight Vigil, May 8 Enrollment Ceremony in Sacramento

All fallen California law enforcement officers will be remembered during the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies. A Candlelight Vigil will be held on Sunday, May 7 at 8:30 p.m., and the Enrollment Ceremony will take place on the next morning at 10:30 a.m. U.S. Attorney Talbert and many law enforcement officers from around the state will be in attendance during the Enrollment Ceremony on Monday. Both events will be held at the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument at 10th Street and Capitol Mall in Sacramento. Individual agencies will also be conducting their own ceremonies during this time period to remember their fallen heroes.

May 11 CHP Unveiling Ceremony in Fresno

U.S. Attorney Talbert will also attend the unveiling ceremony of the Central Division Officer Down Memorial in Fresno on May 11 at 11:00 a.m. This event is hosted by the California Highway Patrol.

In addition to Officers Lenehan and Carrasco, nine California peace officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in 2022 will be honored and enrolled during this year’s ceremony. For more information on the California memorial events go to www.camemorial.org.

May 13 Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC with live webcast

The names of fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2023. So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be webcast live over the internet beginning at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).