American flags across the country are at half-staff today (Wednesday).
May 15th is National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day – one of two days on which federal law requires American flags to be flown at half-staff. That other is Memorial Day, the last Monday in May – which honors all service members who have lost their lives for their country. President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962.
The day falls during National Police Week – established by Congress in order to pay special recognition to all of those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a historic crime bill that stipulates Peace Officers Memorial Day – as a day in which government agencies, businesses and residents are to fly their U.S. flags at half-staff.