On Tuesday, Alaska's governor, Sean Parnell ordered the state flags to fly at half-mast on Wednesday in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day as well as Law Enforcement Memorial Week.

By a joint resolution, that was approved in October of 1962, each year the country honors officers with Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th and the week in which it falls as Police Week.

President Obama followed tradition and made the annual proclamation on May 10th of this year.

In a proclamation Obama stated, NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

Alaska’s governor did the same on Tuesday. In a release, he announced, “Alaska’s law enforcement officers are brave men and women who report for duty knowing full well the dangers they face and the sacrifices they may be called upon to make,” Governor Parnell said. “The duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices that face law enforcement officers and their families on a daily basis earn them the respect, admiration, and gratitude of the people they serve and protect.”

Flags return to full-mast on Thursday.