“We ride in memory of those who paid the ultimate price for their dedication to service and duty. We place the wreaths in honor of their supreme sacrifice,” said Gary Lyons, LawRide Founder.
This Mother’s Day law enforcement officers and motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC to prepare for the 18thAnnual LawRide to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Hundreds of motorcyclists cruised past the U.S. Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, and up 6th 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 2013 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 2013, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
34th 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 34th Annual Washington Area Police Memorial Service at MPD’s Headquarters in downtown DC with Bruce Johnson, of WUSA-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 2012, including Trooper Andrew Fox, Officer Chris Yung, Officer Adrian Morris, Officer Forrest Taylor, Officer William Talbert, and Sergeant Morton Marshall Ford III.
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 Vincent C. Gray and guest speaker Ronald C. Machen, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Representatives from the Virginia State Police, Prince William County Police, Prince George's County Police, Baltimore City Police, Montgomery County Police and Alexandria 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 six officers honored at the service today will be dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the 25th Annual Candlelight Vigil this Sunday, May 13th at 8:00 pm, along with 321 other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
For more information about National Police Week 2013, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.
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 2012, including Trooper Andrew Fox, Officer Chris Yung, Officer Adrian Morris, Officer Forrest Taylor, Officer William Talbert, and Sergeant Morton Marshall Ford III.
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 Vincent C. Gray and guest speaker Ronald C. Machen, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Representatives from the Virginia State Police, Prince William County Police, Prince George's County Police, Baltimore City Police, Montgomery County Police and Alexandria 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 six officers honored at the service today will be dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the 25th Annual Candlelight Vigil this Sunday, May 13th at 8:00 pm, along with 321 other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
For more information about National Police Week 2013, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.
2013 Police Unity Tour Kick Off - Portsmouth, VA
It was a sunny 72 degree day as Police Unity Tour Chapter VII celebrated their 10th anniversary at their kick off ceremony this morning on the waterfront in Old Town Portsmouth, VA. "We Ride For Those Who Died" is the Police Unity Tour’s Motto and this year the riders included police officers, sheriff's deputies, state and federal agents and survivors. Over 200 riders from eight states (FL, GA, LA, AZ, OK, TX, TN and FL) and the United Kingdom, as well as 50 support personnel departed on their annual trek to National Police Week in Washington, D.C for the Portsmouth spoke of the Police Unity Tour. As bagpipes sounded, the cyclists, motor officers and support personnel joined together for a presentation of the colors and singing of the National Anthem.
This was my fourth year speaking at the Portsmouth kick-off ceremony and it was a great honor to be a part of such a remarkable event.
For the next three days the riders will travel over 200 miles to end their journey at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Please join us in Washington, D.C. on Sunday May 12th as Chapter VII, along with over 1,500 other riders and thousands of well-wishers, gather at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the arrival ceremony. The ceremony will begin at approximately 2pm.
We wish the Police Unity Tour Riders safe travels on their journey.
John Shanks
Acting Director of Development and Law Enforcement Relations
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
19th Annual Blue Mass
In spite of today’s rainy weather, public safety and law
enforcement officers from the Washington, DC Metropolitan area gathered at St.Patrick’s Catholic Church to pray for a mass
to honor those who serve in law enforcement and fire safety, and remember the fallen.
The Mass included an honor guard, bagpipers, and the solemn playing of "Taps"
in memory of those who gave their lives in the past year.
Blue Mass began in 1934, when police officers gathered to
pray for their fallen comrades and seek God's blessing for their own safety.
The tradition stopped in the mid-1970s but has since resumed in grander fashion
than ever. The name "Blue Mass" comes from the traditional color of
many officers' uniforms.
The principal celebrant and homilist for the Blue Mass was
His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl.
Police Officers’ Prayer
to St. Michael, the Archangel
(Courtesy of St. Patrick Catholic Church):
(Courtesy of St. Patrick Catholic Church):
Dear Saint Michael,
Your name means, “Who is Like a God”, and it indicates that You remained
faithful when others rebelled against God. Help the police officers of our day
who strive to stem the rebellion and evil that are rampant on all sides. Keep
them faithful to their God as well as to their country and their fellow human
beings. Amen.
For more information about National Police Week 2013,
including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Ambush Tactics Continue in 2013
To date, there have been 15 firearms-related law enforcement officer fatalities in 2013 and a majority of these were a result of ambush attacks. Ambushes have been on the rise nationally and present a chilling threat to our nation’s law enforcement officers. Beyond the raw numbers, many of these tragic killings have made national headlines, raising awareness of this danger:
Keep an eye out for registration for upcoming VALOR trainings in your area to help prepare you to respond to ambush tactics like those that have tragically taken the lives of so many law enforcement officers this year.
- Assistant District Attorney Mark Haase of Kaufman County, Texas was shot as he walked to the courthouse after parking his car on January 31
- Officers Keith Lawrence, Michael Craine, and Jeremiah Mackay were all killed by a former Los Angeles police officer between February 3 and February 12
- Colorado Department of Corrections Executive Director Tom Clements was shot as he opened his front door on March 19
- District Attorney Mike McLelland of Kaufman County, Texas and his wife, Cynthia, were found shot to death in their home on March 30
- Sheriff Eugene Crum of Mingo County, West Virginia was ambushed in his police car as he ate lunch on April 3
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Officer Sean Collier was killed by the suspected Boston bombers as he sat in his patrol vehicle on April 18
Keep an eye out for registration for upcoming VALOR trainings in your area to help prepare you to respond to ambush tactics like those that have tragically taken the lives of so many law enforcement officers this year.
- June 4–5, 2013: Newburgh, New York
- June 6–7, 2013: Rochester, New York
- July 11–12, 2013: Chicago, Illinois
- July 24–25, 2013: Sante Fe, New Mexico
Saturday, May 4, 2013
22nd Annual Correctional Officers Wreath Laying Ceremony
Today, 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—including nine correctional officers killed in 2012 and 21 fallen correctional officers from the DC metro area.
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. Led by Thomas N. Faust, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, this year’s ceremony included guest speakers Herbert Giobbi, Chief Operating Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Chief Kenneth Ellerbee of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services and Paul A. Quander Jr., Deputy Mayor of the District of Columbia.
Following the presentation of the colors by the honor guard, Sergeant Chris Sawyer of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office performed the national anthem. The invocation was led by Chaplain Rosco Lockheart of the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. After a brief welcome by Chuck Bean, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, there was a special recognition of Chief Kenneth Ellerbee.
The roll call of fallen heroes was then solemnly read aloud as members of the participating honor guards carried red roses to the center medallion of the Memorial. 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.
Tomorrow marks the start of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 5-11, 2013), 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. The names of 585 correctional officers are engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. 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.
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. Led by Thomas N. Faust, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, this year’s ceremony included guest speakers Herbert Giobbi, Chief Operating Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Chief Kenneth Ellerbee of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services and Paul A. Quander Jr., Deputy Mayor of the District of Columbia.
Following the presentation of the colors by the honor guard, Sergeant Chris Sawyer of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office performed the national anthem. The invocation was led by Chaplain Rosco Lockheart of the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. After a brief welcome by Chuck Bean, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, there was a special recognition of Chief Kenneth Ellerbee.
The roll call of fallen heroes was then solemnly read aloud as members of the participating honor guards carried red roses to the center medallion of the Memorial. 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.
Tomorrow marks the start of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 5-11, 2013), 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. The names of 585 correctional officers are engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. 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.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Law Enforcement Appreciation Night with the Detroit Tigers
What a great Law Enforcement Appreciation Night last evening at Comerica Park, not to mention a great 6-1 win for the Detroit Tigers against the Minnesota Twins. More than 900 law enforcement personnel, family, and friends— from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Southern Ontario, Canada—came out to support law enforcement and the Memorial Fund, along with some 30,000 fans and supporters. Representing the Memorial Fund were Chief Operating Officer Herb Giobbi and Law Enforcement Ambassador Brent Clark.
A great display of 25 Michigan police cars from past to present was on hand for attendees to check out as they made their way into the park. The police cars gave fans of all ages a look at how law enforcement vehicles have evolved over the years.
Just before the game, the Tigers took a moment to honor Officer Patrick O’Rourke of the West Bloomfield (MI) Police Department. Officer O’Rourke was killed last September while responding to a domestic dispute call. We were happy to have Officer O’Rourke’s wife, kids, and parents attend the event in his honor.Overall it was a great night for baseball, the Memorial Fund, and Tigers fans. Thanks to our Law Enforcement Ambassador for getting out the word to sell 950 tickets in support of the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Also, a very special thank you to the Detroit Tigers for helping us to respect, honor, and remember those in law enforcement.
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