Peace Officers Memorial Day

Federal law provides for the U.S. flag to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless it falls on Armed Forces Day. The observance honors law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and recognizes the service and sacrifice of peace officers across the country.

Provenance

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Mast analysis

Mast interpretation

Peace Officers Memorial Day honors law enforcement officers who were killed or disabled in the line of duty and recognizes the service and sacrifice of peace officers across the country. It is observed annually on May 15 as part of Police Week.

Federal law provides for the United States flag to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on May 15. An exception applies when May 15 falls on Armed Forces Day; in that circumstance, the statutory Peace Officers Memorial Day half-staff direction does not apply.

Mast calculates the annual date and the Armed Forces Day exception from the standing federal statutes, which are linked as the official source.

Source record

Authority and evidence

4 U.S.C. 7(m) and 36 U.S.C. 136

This page summarizes Mast’s reading of the published order. Consult the issuing authority for the original record.

Official source Read the related Mast guide

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Corrections and revisions

No public corrections are recorded.

Editorial information

Written and maintained by Josh Forehand

Last reviewed August 16, 2026