May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, a time when we reflect on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers, many of whom have sadly been maimed or slain in the line of duty. In 2024 alone, 107 law enforcement officers in the United States didn’t come home from their shifts, more than half of those due to felonious reasons and dozens of others because of accidents. Meanwhile, some 48,000 law enforcement officers are injured each year, many of whom are permanently disabled as a result of their injuries. These casualties are all tragic, regardless of the manner in which they occur.
Those who have been lost in the line of duty are usually recognized by way of community memorials, and these may include monuments, plaques, or having a road or other public landmark named in the honor of the fallen. Injured and disabled law enforcement officers frequently serve in other capacities that help the community at large or provide assistance in some form or fashion to those who are currently serving as law enforcement or are undergoing training to join the force.
Numismatists have another way to pay homage to the nation’s law enforcement officers, and in particular those who paid the ultimate price to serve their communities. Collectors can purchase the 1997 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar. The commemorative coin was struck in both uncirculated and proof formats and sold to collectors. Prices for the coin vary depending on prevailing silver values, and there are many opportunities to include the silver dollar in a variety of PCGS Registry Sets that accommodate it and other modern commemorative coins.