WHEREAS, forty-two years ago President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-54, passed by a Joint Resolution of the 87^th Congress of the United States of America, designating May 15^th as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of federal, state and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, on average, one law enforcement officer is killed somewhere in America every 53 hours; over 17,000 officers have died while performing their duties; the state with the highest number of police deaths is California at 1377 deaths; Nevada has lost 68 officers; and

WHEREAS, on average, more than 57,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, resulting in some 17,000 injuries; the deadliest year in law enforcement history was 1974, when 273 officers were killed and the deadliest day was September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on America; and

WHEREAS, we are honored to be part of a community that remembers and honors our fallen heroes, our love and respect for these officers and their families lives long after the ceremonies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim May 11-17, 2008 as