May is a month marked by remembrance — a time when our nation collectively pauses to honor those who gave their lives in service, whether patrolling our streets or on the front lines defending our country. Each May, National Police Week (May 11–17), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) and Memorial Day (May 26) cast a national spotlight on the courage and sacrifice of those who serve — and those we’ve lost.

As part of these memorial events, LAAPOA President Marshall McClain represented the Association and our members in Sacramento, joining thousands of fellow officers and survivors in honoring the fallen at our State Capitol. This week, he and other members traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in national ceremonies with law enforcement officers, survivors and supporters from across the nation.

“Every year, out of respect and honor, tens of thousands — even hundreds of thousands — of peace officers across this nation come together to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their last full measure of devotion and made the ultimate sacrifice,” McClain says.

These annual observances are more than tradition — they are a vivid reminder of the inherent dangers of our profession and the steep price that too many of our brothers and sisters have paid in the line of duty. Peace Officers Memorial Day, established in 1962, is a solemn national moment when the names of the fallen are etched into memory and history. National Police Week brings law enforcement from around the country together in solidarity, offering support to survivors and reaffirming our shared commitment to honor, service and sacrifice.

Data shows just how real those risks remain. There were 342 officers shot in the line of duty in 2024 — including 19 from California — and 52 of them were killed, marking a 13% increase in firearms-related fatalities from 2023.

Additionally, the number of line-of-duty deaths rose to 148 last year, a 25% increase over the previous year, according to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

Perhaps most alarming is the sharp rise in traffic-related fatalities, which surged by 48% compared to 2023. Of the 46 traffic-related line-of-duty deaths in 2024, 25 officers died in automobile crashes, 17 were struck by vehicles and four lost their lives in motorcycle crashes.

LAAPOA believes it’s important to not only remember these fallen heroes, but also acknowledge the growing challenges faced by those still serving. Officers today are asked to do more with less — often under intense scrutiny, in understaffed units and amid increasingly complex and dangerous public safety environments.

Just last week, the Los Angeles City Council’s budget committee announced its plans to slow down the hiring of LAPD officers, which would leave the department with its lowest level of sworn staffing in 30 years. Even worse, the committee proposed halving the number of LAPD recruits planned for the coming fiscal year to 240 from 480.

Compounding these risks is an often-overlooked threat: health-related fatalities. Heart attacks remain one of the leading causes of death among law enforcement officers; sudden cardiac events account for up to 10% of all line-of-duty deaths. The physical and emotional toll of the job — long shifts, high-stress responses, irregular sleep and limited recovery time — places officers at significant risk.

At the end of the month, we turn our attention to Memorial Day, which honors the approximately 1.3 million American military personnel who have died serving our country. This staggering number reflects not only the scale of sacrifice, but the depth of our nation’s reliance on those willing to defend it with their lives.

For many in law enforcement — especially those who are veterans — the connection between these two forms of public service runs deep. Whether in a patrol car in our community or an armored vehicle overseas, those who serve are united by a commitment to protect others.

“This month reminds us that freedom and safety are never guaranteed — they’re secured by those willing to stand in the gap,” McClain says. “Whether wearing a badge or a military uniform, those we remember this month gave everything. God bless our fallen heroes and those who still stand watch.”