The big picture: Law enforcement officers shouldn’t have to sacrifice their lives for public safety.
Peace Officers Memorial Day is held every May 15th, marking a tradition of honoring law enforcement officers’ bravery and sacrifice. Annually, during the week of May 15th, law enforcement officers, families, survivors, and supporters from around the country come to Washington, DC, for National Police Week to memorialize and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
In the days ahead, National Police Week will honor fallen officers and amplify the bravery of law enforcement officers. But this week shouldn’t be the only week we have these important conversations. In a few days, 345 officers killed in the line of duty, including those from 2024 and years before, will be honored; their names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, and read aloud during the breathtaking Roll Call of Heroes, which the National Policing Institute is honored to take part in.
Law enforcement officers shouldn’t pay the ultimate price for public safety. Tragically, line-of-duty deaths increased by about 25% in 2024, according to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). These statistics are a stark reminder of the truly dangerous nature of policing, yet men and women around the country still suit up and serve their communities. That’s one of the reasons it’s America’s most noble profession.
The families of the 147 lives lost in 2024 had to experience the unthinkable tragedy of a loved one taken too soon. In observance of this month, we are focusing on these families and how agencies can support them and their own.
What we know: Family Liaison Officers play a crucial role after a line-of-duty death, prioritizing what meant the most to the officer gone too soon: their family.
When a law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty, selecting a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) helps to support the unimaginable days and events ahead for the family.
According to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), the FLO acts as a compassionate bridge between the grieving family and the police agency. This role serves to prioritize the family over departmental procedures and they assist with funeral arrangements, sharing information, and providing logistical support such as coordinating travel and lodging for out-of-town relatives. The FLO’s responsibilities are designed to alleviate the family’s burden during an incredibly challenging time, allowing them to focus on mourning and remembrance.
C.O.P.S. highlights that choosing the right Family Liaison Officer (FLO) is one of the most important steps an agency can take after a line-of-duty death. Whenever possible, the FLO should be someone the officer and their family already know and trust, creating a foundation for open, compassionate communication. The FLO’s role is to be consistently available—guiding and supporting the family through every stage of the funeral and the difficult days that follow. Rather than making decisions for the family, the FLO helps carry out their wishes, making sure their needs are met with care and respect. In doing so, the FLO plays a vital part in honoring the officer’s life and helping the family begin to heal.
Family Liaison Officers: The role, weight, and lasting impact.
In March of 2014, Lieutenant Mike Hatch received a devastating call—his friend and colleague, Officer David Wayne Smith, had been shot and killed while on duty in the community he loved and served for 18 years.
Mike responded to the scene and quickly took on the role of Family Liaison Officer. He supported Officer Smith’s wife and young son in what was the darkest moment in their lives.
What began as a duty became something lasting—because when done right, “liaison” and “officer” fade, and what remains is simply family.
Read Mike’s story.
Lieutenant Mike Hatch, 2014
The bottom line: One officer killed in the line of duty is one too many.
The price of public safety should never be a life lost—or a family, friends, or agency devastated by that loss. Below, we share resources we hope are never needed, but are here to support families and colleagues if tragedy strikes.
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- Resource for when the unthinkable happens: This handout from Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) offers a clear, step-by-step guide for agencies to follow immediately after a line-of-duty death. It outlines essential actions, notifications, and support services to ensure families and departments are cared for with dignity and coordination.
- Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: The Department of Justice offers death and education benefits to survivors of fallen police officers. This program also provides disability benefits to officers severely injured in the line of duty. Learn more.
- Support for families: First H.E.L.P. (Honor, Educate, Lead, Prevent) offers a comprehensive suite of resources dedicated to supporting first responders and their families, particularly in the aftermath of suicide. Their services include confidential peer support, educational workshops, and financial assistance such as scholarships for surviving children.
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