Lodge 1 meeting at Alarys Bar, 1830 hrs. November 28, 2026

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2027 dues are now due as of November 1, 2026. Checks can be mailed to FOP Lodge 1, PO Box 2174 Inver Grove Heights MN 55076 or paid on this website.

For Immediate Release

15 May 2026

Contact: Tim Richardson

(202) 547-8189 | trichardson@fop.net

FOP Honors Fallen Officers at the National Memorial Service in Washington, D.C.

Vice President Vance Delivers Keynote Address

Washington, DC - Today, the National Fraternal Order of Police and its National Auxiliary will host thousands of law enforcement officers, surviving family members, and friends of slain officers on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to honor the 191 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2025.

National President Yoes welcomed the survivor families who traveled from across the country to our nation’s capital to attend the FOP’s 45th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service. This is the nation’s largest and most prominent memorial service held on behalf of fallen law enforcement officers.

“Today is never an easy day. We honor the fallen, we grieve, and most of all, we remember. The memories of our lost loved ones are with us always,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “In the difficult times ahead, these memories will give us the strength to face tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that. The men and women we honor today and their loved ones who are here, are never truly lost—they stay with us, just as your FOP family is with you, today and always.”

“This Service is a solemn reminder of the dangers of serving in law enforcement, and that nothing in our profession can be taken for granted. We mourn their sacrifice and we pledge this to their memories—we will never let their families walk alone,” Yoes said.

HISTORY OF THE EVENT

• In October 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. Since the signing of this proclamation, this date has been the official day of recognition for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the performance of their duty. This is the 45th year that the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary have held the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.

• On 15 May 1982, the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary hosted the First Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service. The ceremony has become nationally recognized, which contributed to the building and dedication of the “Wall of Remembrance” on Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. Currently, the Wall is inscribed with the names of the more than 24,000 law enforcement officers who have made the supreme sacrifice “to protect and serve” the laws and the citizens of the United States.

FACTS ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER LINE-OF-DUTY DEATHS

• Out of a total of 191 officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2025, 60 officers succumbed to illnesses they contracted when they responded to the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

• Of the total officers killed in the line of duty, 45 deaths were by gunfire in 2025.
• Since the first recorded police death in 1791, there have been more than 24,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

• The deadliest year in law enforcement history was 2021 when 623 officers were killed (436 were COVID-19-related).

• The deadliest decade was the 1920s when a total of 2,437 officers died, or 243 each year.

• The deadliest day in law enforcement history was 11 September 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on the United States.

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Founded in 1915, the Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement organization in the United States, with more than 382,000 members. With national offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., the FOP is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those who serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. Please visit fop.net for more information.

The Voice of Our Nation's Law Enforcement OfficersSince 1915

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In August 2025, the National Fraternal Order of Police conducted its 67th National Conference and Exposition in Miami FL. This event represents 108 years of professional law enforcement experience for the largest and oldest law enforcement labor organization in the United States.

The National Fraternal Order of Police holds a National Conference every two years to set the goals and agenda for the organization. The business of the order is conducted, seminars are offered, Constitution & By-Laws are reviewed and changed, the Executive Board is elected, National Trustees and Committee Chairs report their activities, and exhibitors from around the country showcase their products and services at our EXPO.

Law enforcement officials from all over the country attended, including police chiefs, administrators, sheriffs, training officers, fleet managers, federal officers, corrections officers and procurement staf

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Reminder, 2027 dues are now due and can be paid online or by mail to the lodge address.

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FOP Announces Support for S. 3079, the “Keeping Our COVID-19 Heroes Employed Act”

WASHINGTON, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, announced that the organization has endorsed S. 3079, the “Keeping Our COVID-19 Heroes Employed Act,” which was introduced yesterday by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).  President Yoes issued the following statement:

“It is the position of the National FOP that vaccinations work to prevent people from becoming infected by COVID-19 and we encourage our members to get vaccinated.  However, the National FOP believes that whether or not to accept the vaccine is a personal decision that our members should make for themselves after consultation with their doctor or other medical professionals. 

“We understand the public policy and public health objectives behind the Federal mandate on vaccinations.  No one needs to tell our members about the dangers of COVID-19—we have lost more than 700 officers to the virus since the start of the pandemic.  We know it can be deadly.

“Even with that knowledge, law enforcement officers in every region of the country reported for work. Due to our profession, we did not have the option to work from home, and we could not always practice social distancing. We showed up and worked to keep our communities safe, even in the midst of a global pandemic and, sometimes, without even the most basic personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We have said from the beginning of the pandemic, that this is a public health crisis as well as a public safety crisis. Unfortunately, the public safety crisis could very well be exacerbated as a result of mandating our everyday heroes to choose unwillingly getting a medical procedure or their jobs—it is not fair or just. Delivering an ultimatum to the brave men and women of law enforcement is not right, and that is why the FOP—and our 364,000 members—supports S. 3079.  We urge the Senate to consider this legislation before these brave men and women lose their livelihoods.”

National FOP Launches “Blue View” Podcast

February 15, 2022 | Press Releases

The National Fraternal Order of Police is pleased to announce the launch of “Blue View,” a weekly podcast hosted by National FOP President Patrick Yoes. Every week, “Blue View” listeners will hear from law enforcement experts, elected officials, or other notable leaders to gain insight into the issues and current events surrounding the law enforcement 

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The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To view this information, please click here. Read More

National Lodge supports these issues. 

1. Social Security Issues
2. 1. Support H.R. 141/S. 521 "Social Security Fairness Act"

   The FOP strongly supports legislation to restore full Social Security benefits for law enforcement officers by repealing both the "Windfall Elimination Provision" (WEP) and the "Government Pension Offset" (GPO).

3. Oppose any legislation that would require the participation of public employees in Social Security

   The FOP vehemently opposes any legislation which would mandate participation in Social Security for current or newly hired public employees who participate in their own retirement systems and do not pay into Social Security.

1. Support H.R. 1154 "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act"

   The FOP strongly supports legislation to guarantee the right of public employees to bargain collectively with their employers over hours, wages and conditions of employment. Such legislation should mandate that State laws provide minimum collective bargaining rights to their public safety employees while prohibiting strikes and lockouts. States with collective bargaining laws already on the books would be exempt from the Federal statute. Such legislation is unlikely to be introduced in this Congress.

2. Support H.R. 1195/S. 473 "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"

   The FOP strongly supports legislation expanding the definition of "law enforcement officer" for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers.

3. Support H.R. 1156, the "LEOSA Reform Act"

4.             The FOP strongly supports legislation to fix current loopholes to better protect off-duty and retired law enforcement officers

For more information, please feel free to contact the National Legislative Office at (202) 547-8189 or via e-mail.