North Carolina Honors Fallen Police Officers at Annual Memorial

Attorney General, Fraternal Order of Police, and Law Enforcement Groups to Host Ceremony on April 14

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or other law enforcement equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the solemnity and gravity of honoring fallen officers.A solemn remembrance of the sacrifices made by North Carolina's fallen law enforcement officers.Greensboro Today

The 41st Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony will be held on April 14 at 10 a.m. at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event is hosted by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, the Greensboro Police Department, and North Carolina Concerns of Police Survivors.

Why it matters

This annual ceremony honors the lives and sacrifices of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It provides an opportunity for the community to come together and show their support and gratitude for the courageous men and women who protect and serve.

The details

The guest speaker for this year's ceremony will be Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief of Police Estella Patterson. The event will feature remarks from Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Chet Effler of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, and Assistant Chief Milford Harris of the Greensboro Police Department.

  • The 41st Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony will be held on April 14, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The players

Jeff Jackson

The Attorney General of North Carolina and the head of the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Chet Effler

The President of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police.

Estella D. Patterson

The Chief of Police for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Milford Harris

The Assistant Chief of the Greensboro Police Department.

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What they’re saying

“This ceremony honors the lives and sacrifices of our fallen officers. We owe them, and their families, our deepest gratitude for their service and sacrifice. I hope that our fellow North Carolinians will join us for this remembrance, and I thank the Fraternal Order of Police, the Justice Academy, the Greensboro Police Department, and North Carolina C.O.P.S. for their work to host this year's ceremony.”

— Jeff Jackson, Attorney General of North Carolina

“Peace Officers' Memorial Day is a sacred time for us to pause, reflect, and honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service to others. Each name we remember represents a story of sacrifice, commitment, and unwavering dedication to protecting our communities. As the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, we stand united with our state and local partners, as well as the families of the fallen, to ensure their legacy is never forgotten.”

— Chet Effler, President, North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police

“This day reminds us of the extraordinary courage shown by the men and women who gave their lives protecting our communities. We owe it to them—and to their families, colleagues and loved ones—to ensure that their service, their sacrifice and their commitment to justice are never forgotten. As we gather to remember these heroes, we also renew our promise to stand steadfast in our mission to safeguard and serve the people of North Carolina.”

— Estella D. Patterson, Chief of Police, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

“Our department is honored to help host this ceremony and to stand in solidarity with our law enforcement partners and with the families, friends and colleagues of fallen officers. We are painfully aware of how deeply these losses are felt by their families and their respective agencies. We are especially grateful for our community's support and ask that residents join us April 14 as we remember and honor our fallen colleagues.”

— Milford Harris, Assistant Chief, Greensboro Police Department

What’s next

The 41st Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony will take place on April 14, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The takeaway

This annual ceremony serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It is an opportunity for the community to come together and show their appreciation and support for the brave men and women who protect and serve.