37th 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 37th Annual Washington Area Police Memorial Service at MPD’s Headquarters in downtown DC, with Shawn Anderson of WTOP News 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 2015, including Carolyn Cross, Craig Chandler, Noah Leotta, and Brennan Rabain.

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 Representatives from the DC Department of Corrections, Baltimore City Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, and Prince George's County Police Department 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 as the names of the fallen were read.

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 28th Annual Candlelight Vigil this Friday, May 13 at 8:00 pm, along with 252 other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

For more information about National Police Week 2016, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.

New York Yankees Host Law Enforcement Night in the Bronx

The constant mist on a cold night in May couldn’t keep New York Yankees fans from one of the biggest rivalries in sports. With the Boston Red Sox in town for the first time this season, scores of people traveled from all around the tri-state area for an exciting game on Friday, May 6, down to the final out.

Hundreds of fans were also there in support of local law enforcement, as the Yankees hosted Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at Yankee Stadium. Fans traveled from as far away as Texas to watch the Yankees beat the Red Sox 3-2. They also saw a little more action that they had anticipated in the ninth inning as Red Sox DH David Ortiz was struck out with bases loaded, blowing a chance to tie or even win the game. An angry Ortiz, who had scored a home run in the first inning, immediately ran back on the field and accosted the umpire, giving everyone a story to take home that night.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund would like to thank the New York Yankees for the opportunity to share this game with the local law enforcement, their families and supporters. A special thanks to David Sibelman and the rest of the Group Sales & Service Department. 

The Yankees will host another Law Enforcement Appreciation event on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Special discounted tickets will go on sale later this summer.

21st Annual LawRide

Today, law enforcement officers and motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC for the 21st 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 ceremonial wreaths were placed at the Memorial’s center medallion, to honor all the fallen heroes of American law enforcement.

For more information about National Police Week 2016, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.

25th 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. 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, 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.

National Police Week: 22nd Annual Blue Mass

Photos from today's 22nd Annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington, DC.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Held each year at the beginning of National Police Week, the church prays for those in law enforcement and fire safety, remember those who have fallen, and support those who serve. Representatives of Federal and local law enforcement and public safety agencies from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area and around the country attend.

United For Blue Marches for Second Year

The grey skies cleared just in time on Saturday, April 2, for the United For Blue march in Washington, DC. The march started at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square, as more than a hundred people gathered with signs that read “Blue Lives Matter.”

Retired police officer Marcello Muzzatti reminded the crowd about why they had gathered, to remember the sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the country. Kelly Wince and Bobbie Padgett, wives of officers, thanked those who appreciated the work that’s done to protect citizens daily.

Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig W. Floyd expressed concern about how officers are portrayed by the public. With sixteen officers shot and killed in the line of duty in 2016 so far, Floyd described a lawlessness in the country.

Being led by a bagpipe band, the marchers started to walk toward the National Mall, on their way to the U.S. Capitol. Additional speakers at the Mall included Matthew Mahl, president of the DC Police Union, and former NFL players Sydney Rice and Clinton Portis.

VIDEO: http://wjla.com/news/local/united-for-blue-gathers-to-remember-fallen-police-officers

263rd Session of FBI National Academy Visits Memorial

As the members of the 263rd Session of the FBI National Academy exited the buses that brought them to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, they made their way to the walls inscribed with the names of more than 20,000 fallen officers.

On the crisp, clear evening of Tuesday, March 1, 2016, they crouched down by the walls to etch names onto paper, their colleagues providing extra light from their smartphones. They came to pay their respects to their fellow officers before graduating from the academy the following week.

Jeff McCormick, of the FBI, invited them to the middle of the Memorial and started the program by reminding them of the ultimate sacrifice the fallen officers made. He was followed by the National Anthem, sung by two officers from the New York City Police Department.

Memorial Fund Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd began his remarks by reminding the crowd of the numerous recent killings of police officers, including Ashley Guindon, who was eulogized at a funeral service that afternoon in nearby Prince William County, Virginia.

“There are now 20,538 names inscribed on these memorial walls,” Floyd said. “This coming May [during National Police Week], we’ll be adding approximately 250 more.”

“On average, one law enforcement professional is killed in the line of duty every 60 hours. There are some 57,000 criminal attacks and assaults against law enforcement officers each year in this country. More than 100,000 law enforcement professionals are injured in the line of duty each year. And yet, amazingly, some 900,000 of you go out every day, risking your life and safety for the protection of others. It’s truly remarkable when you consider those statistics.”

The negative image and public scrutiny that has been plaguing law enforcement in recent years was also addressed.

“That’s why it really bothers me, sickens me, really, when you hear some of the anti-cop sentiment that we’ve heard over these last couple of years. For the most part, the average citizen doesn’t have any contact with a law enforcement officer. The Justice Department tells us only 1 out of 5 citizens has any contact at all with a law enforcement officer during the course of a year. Most of those are traffic stops.”

He continued, “You know, we hear so much of the courage of our officers, we don’t hear nearly enough about the compassion that you all display on a daily basis.”

Floyd closed his speech by telling the members about the plans to open the National Law Enforcement Museum in 2018. Financing for the Museum was secured in late-January and construction is expected to start later this month.

“We’ll have two beautiful glass pavilions that will greet our visitors, and then you’ll descend down into the underground Museum. In this historic area we call ‘Judiciary Square,’ there will be 57,000 square-feet of space to tell your story.”