While May 15 marked National Police Day all across the country, the chance to celebrate community protectors is not just relegated to one day. May 13-19 is National Police Week in the United States.

The history of the celebration dates back to the Kennedy Administration, where in 1962, according to the official police week website, the president signed a proclamation that set May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week that followed as Police Week.

As the event has evolved, thousands upon thousands of police and law enforcement officers from not just America, but around the world visit Washington D.C. to join in on events that honor their fellow comrades who have fallen in the line of duty. The Memorial Service first started in 1982 in Senate Park and has grown exponentially since.

The week brings in between 25,000 to 40,000 people every year.

Police Week isn’t just something to be celebrated on a grand scale, it can be done in any community — no matter the size.

Middlesboro Police Sargeant Barry Cowen spoke on what community support means to local law enforcement.

“I think that cohesion between the community and the police department is vital for the police to be effective,” he said. “A policeman is one of the most scrutinized professions. A policeman endures a lot of stress in the field that is often carried over into not only their home but their personal life. Some may not realize how detrimental that stress can be. Community support is not only beneficial in fighting one of our biggest problems, which is drugs, but it is encouraging to know when the community is behind you and what you do.”