Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week are observances in the United States that pay tribute to local, state and federal law enforcement officers.

Rutherford County law enforcement agencies will come together to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day by holding a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 11 at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza, 111 West Vine St.

The purpose of the ceremony is to remember and pay tribute to all law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, with a special emphasis on those officers who were killed in the line of duty while serving in Rutherford County.

The ceremony will include law enforcement officers from all law enforcement agencies serving in Rutherford County, including: U.S. Marshal Service, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Murfreesboro Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, LaVergne Police Department, MTSU Public Safety Department, Veterans Administration Hospital Police Department, and Eagleville Police Department.

Following the ceremony, the Fraternal Order of Police will place a wreath on the law enforcement memorial monument on the Public Square. Light refreshments will be served in the historic Rutherford County Courthouse following the F.O.P. presentation.

According to a 2002 proclamation by President George W. Bush, “Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week pay tribute to local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication.”

Peace Officers Memorial Day was created Oct. 1, 1962 when Congress asked President John F. Kennedy to honor the nation’s law enforcement officers.