Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the North Carolina Justice Academy paid tribute to fallen officers at the 40th Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Ceremony in Raleigh. The event honored officers who died in the line of duty last year, with family members of those who passed in previous years also attending.
“These officers gave their life in service to this state and its people,” stated Attorney General Jeff Jackson. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honor these individuals alongside their families and colleagues, acknowledging their courage and sacrifice. Jackson also thanked the North Carolina Justice Academy and the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office for organizing the memorial.
Russ Ferguson, United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, served as this year's guest speaker. Appointed by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi in March 2025, Ferguson oversees federal law enforcement across 32 counties in western North Carolina. “It is a privilege to spend time today doing publicly what we in law enforcement do every day – honor our fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect others,” he remarked. Ferguson extended his gratitude to law enforcement officers and their families for enduring daily risks to safeguard communities.
The ceremony specifically remembered officers who lost their lives serving North Carolina last year.