The Stars and Stripes at Pottsville City Hall will be flown at half staff Thursday in honor of all police officers killed in the line of duty.
Pottsville police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said Peace Officer's Memorial Day is observed annually on May 15, as declared in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. The date falls in conjunction with National Police Week.
The chief said National Police Week began Sunday and will continue through Saturday. Throughout the week those involved in law enforcement, as well as members of the public, take a moment to appreciate the protection and service police officers, both locally and nationally, provide citizens every minute of every day of the year.
On Thursday, the city will remember and honor all the men and women killed in the line of duty.
Also Thursday, the United States flag will be accompanied by a commemorative Fraternal Order of Police flag donated by Pottsville Police Lodge 44.
Wojciechowsky said Pottsville police officers, along with officers throughout the United States, will wear a black memorial band on their uniform shields to "proudly remember and honor" all peace officers killed in the line of duty.
The chief said statistics show each year there are about 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries.
Over the last decade, an average of 160 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, Wojciechowsky said.
To date, this year there have been 48 deaths of peace officers in the line of duty in the United States, he said.