Bulgarian Delegation Visits the Memorial

Top criminal justice officials from the Republic of Bulgaria were in Washington, DC, last week for training and information exchange sessions with their counterparts in the United States. Despite their busy schedule, the Bulgarian officials insisted on including one last stop on their itinerary: a visit to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, led a delegation of seven Bulgarian officials who visited the Memorial late Friday afternoon to pay their respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They were greeted by NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd and a number of NLEOMF staff members.

While law enforcement officer fatalities are much lower in Bulgaria than in the United States, Minister Tsvetanov said it is important for everyone to remember and honor all officers who have died in the line of duty, regardless of where they served.

To show their respect for the 18,661 officers whose names are engraved on the U.S. Memorial, the delegation placed a wreath at the central medallion. The Bulgarian visitors exchanged gifts with Mr. Floyd, and Minister Tsvetanov did a rubbing of the name of Superintendent Fred Morrone of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, one of 72 officers killed during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

As they prepared to leave the Memorial, the Bulgarian officials made one last stop: in front of the one of the lion statues for a group photo.

The NLEOMF was proud to welcome the following distinguished officials from the Republic of Bulgaria:

• Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior


• Margarita Popova, Minister of Justice


• Boris Velchev, Chief Prosecutor


• Tsvetlin Yovchev, Chairman of State Agency for National Security


• Stanimir Florov, Director of Combating Organized Crime Directorate, Ministry of Interior


• Ivan Anchev, First Secretary, Embassy of Bulgaria


• Tihomir Stoytchev, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Bulgaria