In honor of National Police Week, the Canyon Lake City Council on Wednesday presented a proclamation to Lieutenant James Rayls of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Rayls thanked the council and citizens of Canyon Lake for their support of police officers, firefighters, and first responders.
“We are very grateful to our law enforcement in Canyon Lake,” Councilwoman Kasey Castillo said.
National Police Week pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.
This year, the names of 619 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. These 619 officers include 472 officers who were killed in 2021 (319 fatalities were COVID-19-related). An additional 147 officers died prior to 2021.
This year marks the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil, which will take place on Friday, May 13, in Washington, D.C. The Candlelight Vigil starts at 8 p.m. and will steam live at Facebook.com/NLEOMF and YouTube.com/theNLEOMF.
