May 12-18 is National Police Week, a time to recognize law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Each year, Target sponsors the lineup of special events in Washington, D.C., and team members take part in events across the country in support of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and other partners.

On May 9, 950 officers from New Jersey and Virginia set out on the Police Unity Tour bike ride—each riding in another officer’s memory—to raise funds for the NLEOMF. Along the way, they stopped to rest at 13 of our east coast Target parking lots, where team members were waiting with food, water and lots of encouragement. The riders converged at our Lanham, Md., store on May 12 and continued on to the Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. for the arrival ceremony and check presentation. This year, the tour raised $1.8 million for the fund.

Then, team members joined thousands of visitors at the Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial on May 13 for a candlelight vigil to honor the fallen heroes of 2012. Brad Brekke, Target’s vice president of Assets Protection, joined U.S. dignitaries such as Attorney General Eric Holder, FBI Director Robert Mueller and Department of Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano in reading the names of the fallen officers added to the memorial wall this year during the ceremony.

Throughout the week, Target volunteers also staff the National Police Week Retail Center, where visitors can get official commemorative merchandise, with all proceeds going to the Memorial Fund. Our volunteers lend a hand stocking merchandise, helping customers, bagging items and running the registers.

At many of our U.S. stores and distribution centers this week, team members are recognizing local law enforcement partners for their service and sacrifice. Some teams are honoring individual partners with framed Target & BLUE certificates, while others are hosting Assets Protection Open House events and attending local ceremonies in red and khaki.

Check out Safety & Preparedness to learn more about how we support law enforcement partners to help make our stores and neighborhoods safer for team members and guests.

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