Law enforcement officers from across the state will be standing in silent vigil at the Peace Officers' Memorial for 24 hours in honor of the 278 Minnesota officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Honor guards from the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) take their post at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 14, and will stand guard, in 30-minute shifts, until Monday evening. Monday is Law Enforcement Memorial Day in Minnesota.
Standing guard ends at 7 p.m. Monday and is followed by a candlelight vigil. The public is invited to attend the candlelight vigil, which begins at 7:25 p.m. The candlelight vigil begins with a law enforcement honor guard parade. It includes music by internationally acclaimed gospel-blue grass band Monroe Crossing and the Minnesota Police Band. It also includes remarks by Pastor Dawn Houser honoring Aitkin County Deputy Steven Sandberg, who was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 18, 2015. Other tributes will include Hayfield Chief Douglas Clausen (died March 13, 1999) and DNR Game Warden Marcus Whipps (died July 12, 1940). The ceremony concludes with a firing party, the playing of "Taps" and a performance by the Minnesota Police Band. A reception at the St. Paul National Guard Armory (600 Cedar St.) follows the Monday evening ceremony.
Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed Monday, May 15, 2017, as Law Enforcement Memorial Day in Minnesota, as a tribute to peace officers who lost their lives or were injured in the line of duty. The governor ordered all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Monday.
About Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) of Minnesota
LEMA is dedicated to assisting the families and home agencies of law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty. LEMA board members are police officers, survivors and friends of fallen officers who volunteer their time. All contributions go to supporting the activities of the association.
LEMA is able to provide assistance both at the time of death and into the future. LEMA honors the families and fallen officers during National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.