Ohio law enforcement honored at NHL game

November was a busy month as the NHL hosted several Law Enforcement Appreciation Nights in honor of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. On November 17 the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted their annual First Responders/Law Enforcement Night which was a huge success.

A sold-out crowd watched the Blue Jackets beat the visiting New York Rangers with a final score of 2-0. 

The Columbus (OH) Division of Police Mounted, Motorcycle & Freeway Units were on hand, as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Columbus Division of Fire, to greet arriving fans.   

The Columbus Division of Police Motorcycle and Freeway Units provided a VIP escort to the family of Kirkersville (OH) Police Chief Eric DiSario from their home to the game. They were hosted by the Blue Jackets at a pregame experience on the ice, and after the game they were invited in the Blue Jackets locker room by player Cam Atkinson. 

Several families of first responders were able to greet players as they entered the ice and children of local law enforcement officers were able to ride the Zamboni throughout the evening.

During the first intermission the Columbus Division of Police Chief Kim Jacobs’ patrol cruiser was driven around the ice by CPD Officer of the Month Anthony L. Johnson. 

Interactive stations were located throughout the arena for the fans to visit, along with K9 demonstrations by Columbus Airport Police Officer David Knepper and his K9 partner.

The Franklin County (OH) Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad brought their robot to explain how they use their special equipment. 

Special thanks to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, especially Malinda Smith, Dani Knell and Cam Atkinson. Our thanks to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Columbus Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police for their continued support of this great event.

MLB's Indians, Brewers Honor Law Enforcement

The Cleveland Indians hosted their annual Law Enforcement Night on August 5 against the New York Yankees. It was an exciting night supporting and honoring law enforcement despite the Indians coming up short in a 2-1 loss before a sold-out crowd at Progressive Field.

Prior to the game, Columbus (OH) Police Department Commander Robert Meader threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Commander Meader is a native of Cleveland and as a teenager worked in the concessions department with the Indians. His brother-in-law was a Columbus police officer who was killed in the line of duty. During the pre-game ceremony Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Maughmer performed the national anthem as the Wellington (OH) Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Fans were also treated to a special video on the National Law Enforcement Museum’s Stand With Honor program www.StandWithHonor.us.

A special thanks to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, the Cleveland Indians and the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police for assisting in this annual event.

Milwaukee Brewers

On August 11 in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Brewers hosted their annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Night. This is the seventh year the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has teamed up with the Brewers. More than 2,000 law enforcement officers from local, state and federal agencies, along with their families and friends, came out for the event. Brewer fans were treated to a special pre-game ceremony honoring Wisconsin’s finest, including a helicopter flyover performed by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Wisconsin Honor Guard Association on the field presenting the colors, as well as the Memorial Fund flag.

The Memorial Fund Officer of the Month award recipients for March 2017 officers Andy Hopfensperger and Ryan Bula of the Antigo (WI) Police Department threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

A special thanks to the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Wisconsin Chapter of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Wisconsin State Troopers Association, Milwaukee Police Association, Maggie Aliota and the Milwaukee Brewers Foundation for sponsoring the special challenge coins that were given away that night.

If you missed these events, check out www.LawMemorial.org/Sports for the latest law enforcement events happening across the country.

Law Enforcement Honored By World Series Champions

On Wednesday, May 17, the 2016 World Series Champions Chicago Cubs honored area law enforcement during their annual Law Enforcement Night at Wrigley Field. More than 1,550 law enforcement officers, friends, families and supporters came out to watch the Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs won with a final score of 7-5. 

Everyone that bought this special offer received a Chicago Cubs Beanie Cap. Not only was it Law Enforcement Night at Wrigley, but it was also National Police Week. The Chicago Cubs posted a special marquee message honoring law enforcement. During the pre-game ceremonies at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors. 

Our thanks to Samuel Schlechter and the Chicago Cubs Groups Sales Team, along with James Reynolds and the Security Team, for their assistance in making this a great event. For other Major League Baseball Law Enforcement Night events, visit: www.LawMemorial.org/Sports.

Red Sox honor Boston-area law enforcement

Monday, May 1, was a great night in Red Sox Nation as the Boston Red Sox honored Massachusetts-area law enforcement departments and officers, as well as the surrounding New England area, during the 6th annual Law Enforcement Night at Fenway Park.

The evening’s recognition and remembrance of law enforcement started off with Pauline Carter-Wells of the Cambridge (MA) Police Department singing the national anthem as the Boston University (MA) Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Director of Law Enforcement Relations Matt Palardy threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and was joined by Memorial Fund Board Vice Chair Jon Adler, the New England COPS Chapter and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly.

Children of fallen officer families had the opportunity to say "Play Ball" at home plate before the game. Families of the officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2016, and who will be remembered and honored during the 2017 National Police Week, were also honored on field before the game.

This special night also gave Memorial Fund the opportunity to promote the Stand With Honor (www.StandWithHonor.us) program to a diverse group of law enforcement leaders and associations. 

The Boston Red Sox ended up falling short to the Baltimore Orioles in an exciting game in a final score of 5-2.

We would like to thank the Carl Grider and the Boston Red Sox Group Sales Team, Boston Red Sox Security Team, Boston Police Department, New England COPS Chapter, New England Association Chiefs of Police and the Massachusetts Police Association for their support of this event. For the latest schedule of law enforcement events with Major League Baseball Teams visit www.LawMemorial.org/sports.