The firing of three volleys of seven firearms by the Honor Guard at the funeral or Memorial Service for a fallen law enforcement officer is the highest honored salute that can be bestowed upon an officer for their service and sacrifice. This is sometimes referred to as "A 21 Gun Salute."

The Three Volleys comes from the Civil War when the battlefield would become cluttered with the dead and filled with the "crying out" of wounded. At such a time, both sides would agree to a cease-fire so that they could care for their own. Once accomplished, each side would fire three rifle shots to signal that the wounded and dead had been cared for.

The Seven Firearms comes from an ancient superstition and belief that odd numbers are considered lucky, with the number seven said to have the highest mystical power. Therefore, the rendering of seven firearms is considered a mystical salute.

The placing of three spent shell casings into the folded American Flag is proof, for now and forevermore, that the Honoree and Our Flag have been properly cared for and honored.

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Taps was first heard in 1862 during the Civil War. Union Captain Robert Ellicombe was fighting with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia, while the Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the battlefield. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his own life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the wounded soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was a Confederate soldier, but that the soldier had already died. The Captain then lit a lantern, caught his breath suddenly, and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the dead soldier. It was his son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out and, without telling his father, had enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, the heartbroken father asked permission from his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. He had asked to have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son’s funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son’s uniform. This wish was granted. This music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps".

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