20th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony Held for FBI Special Agent William Christian, Jr.

On this day in 1995, Special Agent William H. Christian, Jr. was shot and killed during a manhunt for Ralph McLean, who was wanted for two unprovoked attacks on D.C. police officers. Special Agent Christian was praised as "a regular guy and a real family man." He was the first one in the office each day and always volunteered for the toughest assignments.

The FBI Washington Field Office, Society of Former Special Agents, and FBI Agents Association held a Memorial Service today at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Opening remarks were given by Andrew McCabe, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI Washington Field Office. Followed by an invocation by Reverend Monsignor Salvatore Criscuolo and the presentation of colors by the FBI Police Honor Guard.

The Honor Guard led the placement of two wreaths beside Special Agent Christian's name on the Memorial. Remarks were given by Charlie Prouty, FBI Special Agent (ret.); Bill Megary, FBI Special Agent (ret.); and Mark Giuliano, Deputy Director, FBI.

On May 30, 1995, FBI Director Freeh said Special Agent Christian "was willing to stand in the breach, on the very, very thin line between good and evil, putting his own life at risk, putting the fortunes of his family at risk."

If you wish to pay your respects, you can find Special Agent Chrstian's name on the Memorial at 35-W: 20.

Police Week 2015

Thank you to all our friends and supporters for another wonderful Police Week! This year, we honored the addition of 273 American Law Enforcement heroes to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Events began on Saturday, May 9 with the National Police Week 5K and the 24th Annual Correctional Officers Wreath Laying Ceremony.

The National Police Week 5K was hosted by the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) and benefited their programs as well as Concerns of Police Survivors. The 5K began and ended at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.



During the Correctional Officers Wreath Laying Ceremony, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Corrections Chiefs Committee gathered at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor correctional officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.



The 20th Annual Law Ride rode into town on Sunday, May 10. Hundreds of motorcyclists cruised from RFK Stadium past the U.S. Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, and up 5th Street on their way to the Memorial.



On Monday, May 11, The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, DC, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1, and the DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors hosted the 36th Annual Washington Area Police Memorial Service at MPD’s Headquarters in downtown DC with Brianne Carter of ABC/WILA-TV, as mistress of ceremonies.



On Tuesday, May 12 when the 19th Annual Police Unity Tour arrived at the Memorial. It was a sight to see when 1,900 riders made their way through the Memorial's Pathways of Remembrance. After a brief ceremony, the Police Unity Tour presented the Memorial Fund's Chairman & CEO Craig Floyd with a check for $1,997,000, their biggest donation yet to the Memorial Fund!



Wednesday, May 13 marked the biggest and most important day during Police Week, the night of the 27th Annual Candlelight Vigil. Tens of thousands gathered at the Memorial to raise their candles high in honor of the 20,538 officers on the Memorial.





Police Week events didn't after the Candlelight Vigil. On Thursday, May 14, the 21st Annual Emerald Society and Pipeband March and Service made their way to the Memorial. During the event, the Emerald Society, an organization of American police officers or fire fighters of Irish heritage, remembered all law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, in particular officers of Gaelic descent. Emerald Societies from all over the US participated in the march.



Police Week events also included the 34th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Services at the U.S. Capitol on Friday, May 15. After the ceremony, the Fraternal Order of Police and Fraternal Order of Police Auxillary brought their wreath to the Memorial, where Honor Guard teams from all over the U.S. stood watch over it until midnight.



Police Week is a very special time for us here at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and we are proud to be able to host the various events that happen during the week. Thank you again to all of those who participated in Police Week events, both in person and online through watching the live stream of the Candlelight Vigil on Officer.com and participating in our United By Light virtual candle campaign.

Congratulations to our 2015 Harley-Davidson Raffle Winner

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund would like to extend our congratulations to the winner of this year’s Harley Davidson raffle, Sgt. Michael L.!

Michael purchased a couple tickets the past two years. He is a long time supporter of the Memorial Fund and was just in town for Police Week activities. Congratulations Michael!

We greatly appreciate the participation and support from everyone in our annual Harley raffle. And a big thanks and shout out to our friends at Harley-Davidson for their steadfast support.

36th Annual Washington Area Police Memorial Service

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, DC, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1, and the DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors hosted the 36th Annual Washington Area Police Memorial Service at MPD’s Headquarters in downtown DC with Brianne Carter of ABC/WILA-TV, as master of ceremonies.



This annual service recognizes the work of all DC Metro area law enforcement officers. Special recognition was given to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2014, including Corporal Jamel Clagett and Sergeant Clinton Jeffrey Holtz.

Following the presentation of colors and the national anthem, introductory remarks were given by District of Columbia Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier, followed by remarks from District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and guest speaker Heather Fong, Assistant Secretary of the Office of State and Local Law at the US Department of Homeland Security. Representatives from the Charles County (MD) Sheriff's Office and United States Capitol Police spoke about their officers lost in the past year, which was followed by a solemn roll call of fallen heroes from the DC Metro area.

Survivors, law enforcement officers and friends placed blue roses along the edge of the fountain at the Washington Law Enforcement Memorial as the names of the fallen were read. As a special tribute, an MPD helicopter conducted a ceremonial fly-over at the end of the service.

The names of the officers honored at the service today will be dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the 27th Annual Candlelight Vigil this Sunday, May 13 at 8:00 pm, along with 273 other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

For more information about National Police Week 2015, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.

20th Annual LawRide

Today, law enforcement officers and motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC for the 20th Annual LawRide to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Hundreds of motorcyclists cruised past the U.S. Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, and up 5th Street on their way to the Memorial.



Immediately following the ride, a ceremony was held and four ceremonial wreaths were placed at the Memorial’s center medallion, to honor all the fallen heroes of American law enforcement.

 For photos from the 2014 LawRide, as well as from other events happening during National Police Week, follow NLEOMF at www.facebook.com/nleomf, on instagram @nleomf and on twitter @nleomf.

For more information about National Police Week 2014, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.

24th Annual Correctional Officers Wreath Laying Ceremony

This morning, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Corrections Chiefs Committee gathered at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor correctional officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.



Since the Memorial was first dedicated in October 1991, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Corrections Chiefs Committee has conducted an annual ceremony at the Memorial to recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation's correctional officers.

The roll call of fallen heroes was solemnly read aloud as members of the participating honor guards carried red roses to the center medallion of the Memorial. A special moment of tribute was held for for Carolyn Ann Cross, Deputy Director of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, who was lost last year. After each flower was placed, a single bell tolled. In a traditional symbolic gesture, white doves were released at the end of the ceremony and a wreath was placed at the medallion.

The ceremony is held during National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 3-9, 2015), which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Proclaiming the first-ever National Correctional Officers' Week on May 5, 1984, President Reagan called “upon officials of State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

In 1996, Congress officially changed the name of the week to National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. These courageous heroes are forever remembered. Their light continues to shine through their memory and through the selfless men and women who continue to serve each day.