The Houston Police Department sent the following information to share with you for the coming week:

The Houston Police Department invites the community to observe and participate in National Police Week from Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10.

This annual event allows our city to celebrate the contributions police officers make to our communities and honor those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

This year's activities for HPD include three important events:

The Police Week Awards Ceremony Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, May 7, at noon, at Hilcorp Energy Company Headquarters, 1111 Travis Street. The ceremony will feature the reading of the Mayor's Proclamation and award presentations to HPD employees. This event is by invitation only.

The Day of Prayer Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at the Edward A. Thomas Building, 1200 Travis. Houston-area clergy members will gather to reinforce the partnership that exists between the community and the department. The public is invited to attend.

The Annual Police Week Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m., at the Houston Police Officers Memorial site at 2400 Memorial Drive to honor those officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. A procession of police officers will walk down Memorial Drive. A candlelight vigil will be held and include the placing of a wreath on the Houston Police Officers Memorial, a roll call of deceased officers, a 21-gun salute, the playing of TAPS and a fly-over by HPD helicopters. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine Street. The public is invited to attend.

The following week, the HPD Honor Guard will participate in the National Police Week Ceremony in Washington, D. C., from May 13 through May 17.

Please join the Houston Police Department in commemorating the law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, selflessly dedicating their lives in the line of duty while serving to protect the citizens of our great city. During Police Week, all officers and citizens are encouraged to drive with their headlights on, in remembrance of those peace officers.

photo: Getty Images

Jimmy Barrett