Memorial’s 20th Anniversary Gala

Bird's eye view of the Color Guard entering the 20th Anniversary Gala

Guests celebrated 20 years of  honoring America’s law enforcement officers—especially the fallen heroes—at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial’s 20th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday evening, October 12, in Washington, DC.  All proceeds from the Gala benefit the National Law Enforcement Museum.  The Honorable Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, served as Chair of the star-studded event.  Actor Richard Belzer of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Also joining the celebration was actor and National Law Enforcement Museum National Spokesperson, Vincent D’Onofrio, who welcomed guests and introduced the event.

Other special moments from the evening included a video tribute from former President George H.W. Bush, who dedicated the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 20 years ago, and now serves as Co-Chair of the National Honorary Campaign Committee of the National Law Enforcement Museum, along with former President Bill Clinton. Actor, director, and producer, Clint Eastwood, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and National Law Enforcement Museum, also shared some encouraging words of support for the Museum via video.

Stirring musical tributes from singer Daniel Rodriguez, Pipe Major Steve Butterbrodt of the Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Department Pipe & Drums, and Officer Chris Jackson (ret.) of the Metropolitan Police Department of DC, were beautiful parts of the celebration.  Linda Moon Gregory, National President of Concerns of Police Survivor, Pat Montuore, Police Unity Tour Founder and CEO, and Barb Lyons, Police Unity Tour participant and mother of fallen Oregon State Trooper Scott Lyons,  also shared touching remarks.

Dick Wolf, of Law & Order fame, received the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's 2011 “Distinguished Service Award.  The evening included a 20th Anniversary Memorial and Museum video tribute produced by A&E Television, that beautifully captured the meaning and essence of the Memorial and upcoming Museum.

The event offered one of the first glimpses of the upcoming Museum’s Hall of Remembrance, an exhibit designed to tell the stories behind the names currently inscribed on the national monument dedicated to America’s fallen law enforcement officers.  It was a wonderful way to raise money for the Museum and recognize American law enforcement for their role in upholding the ideals of the U.S. Constitution.

Additionally, the announcement of a $2 million dollar gift to the National Law Enforcement Museum was made at the Memorial’s 20th Anniversary Gala. The gift from GLOCK, Inc. will be used to develop an educational and interactive exhibit at the National Law Enforcement Museum called The History Beat. GLOCK is a global manufacturer of pistols and accessories and is the pistol of choice for over 65% of American law enforcement agencies.

14th Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Day

On September 25, 2011, thousands of police officers converged on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada for the 14th Annual Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

In 1998, the Canadian Government declared the last Sunday of every September as Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Day. The Memorial service is similar to our May 15th National Peace Officers Memorial Day, celebrated each year in the United States during National Police Week.

Four officers killed in 2010 and 2011 were honored at this service:

• Constable Garrett Styles, York Regional Police
• Sergeant Ryan J. Russell, Toronto Police
• Constable Sébastien Coghlan-Goyette, Sûreté du Québec
• Constable Michael B. Potvin, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

According to a statement from Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, "The Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Annual Memorial Service gives Canadians an opportunity to formally express their appreciation for the dedication of police and peace officers, who contribute so much to keeping our communities safe and to those who have paid the ultimate price."

The Canadian Memorial now contains the names of over 800 fallen officers. A total of 51 names were added to the Memorial in 2011, including the four officers listed above and the names of 47 officers from historical cases, with 43 of those officers from the Province of Quebec.

More information about the Canadian Police Memorial is available at: http://www.cacp.ca. 

http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr-news/541996-media-advisory-governor-general-to-attend-the-canadian-police-and-peace-officers-34th-annual-memorial-service
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/25/ott-police-memorial.html
http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110925/OTT_police_ceremony_110925/20110925/?hub=OttawaHome

Photograph by: Arlen Redekop, PNG
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/news/5456192/story.html?tab=PHOTO

Why I'm Running: Detective Gene Fox

In about a month, Detective Gene Fox will make the long journey from the state of Texas to Washington, DC to participate in the Law Enforcement Ride & Run to Remember on October 16, 2011. Watch the video below to hear why Det. Fox decided to participate in this event and why you should join him in honoring all of America's law enforcement heroes by registering for the Ride & Run today.

Ten Years After The Terrorist Attacks Of September 11, 2001

Today, at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, we honored the 72 American peace officers killed tragically on September 11, 2001.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., gave the keynote speech and was joined by FBI Director Robert Mueller, United States Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan, United States Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, Former Chief of the Port Authority of NY & NJ Police Department Joseph Morris, and Port Authority Officers Cesare Morales and Paul Nunziato in reading the names of all 72 officers killed that day.



"Because of them, the anniversary we observe every September 11th will always be about far more than the buildings that our enemies brought down, or the damage that they inflicted on our fellow citizens. It’s about honoring the heroism we witnessed on that fateful day – and the resilience that the American people have shown since,"said Attorney General Holder.

"Let this be our commitment to those we honor this morning – the 72 brave individuals whose names are etched, along with more than 19,000 others, into the walls of this memorial. Let us carry on their unfinished work and strive – in their honor – to promote, not only safety and security, but also peace – and, above all, justice. And – as we leave this place today – let us do everything in our power to ensure that – in our own time, in the lives of our children, and in the work of future generations – the stories, the memories, and the rich legacies of those we lost on September 11th will never be forgotten," he concluded.

Special thanks to United States Capitol Police Officer Melissa Recchuiti Gibson, Officer Mike McCann of the Virgina State Police, and Captain Kathy Harasek for their participation in today's ceremony.

To view the full text of the Attorney General's speech from today, visit http://www.nleomf.org/newsroom/speeches/attorney-general-eric-holder.html.

Chairman’s Award Given to John Wehrli of the National Park Service

Last week, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Chairman's Award was given to an exceptional individual— National Park Service employee, John Wehrli.

John Wehrli has been responsible for maintaining the Memorial for the past 18 years. During his nearly two decades spent at the Memorial, the well-kept, gorgeous grounds have spoken volumes about the Memorial’s devoted caretaker—it is no secret that John Wehrli took great pride in what he did.

After his long stretch at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, he has been reassigned to the World War II Memorial.  It is a testament to his dedication and hard work that the Memorial today looks just as beautiful as it did 20 years ago. He will be greatly missed.

For his commitment and long, impressive career of keeping the Memorial as if it were his own yard, John Wehrli received the second-ever Chairman's Award. Fittingly, the award was presented to him by Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO Craig Floyd at a gathering held in Mr. Wehrli’s honor at the Memorial Fund offices. Staff joined together to bid John farewell and to thank him for his years of support and friendship. Mr. Floyd expressed his gratitude to the talented employee for his unique and remarkable work ethic and 18 successful years of upholding the Memorial, “It will be very hard to replace you, John," he said.

Remembering Officer Jeremy Henwood, San Diego (CA) Police Department

About three weeks ago, San Diego (CA) Police Officer Jeremy Henwood entered a local McDonald’s to buy some lunch. When a kid approached him and asked for 10 cents to buy some cookies, Officer Henwood offered to treat him instead. He asked the young boy what he wanted to do when he got older… “Be an NBA star,” the kid said. Officer Henwood bought him the cookies and gave him a bit of advice, too—he told him to work hard and follow his dreams.

Little did they know, this would be the last conversation Officer Henwood would ever have.

Moments later, Officer Henwood left McDonald’s and got back in his patrol car. Sitting idle at an intersection, an assailant pulled out a shotgun, and shot Officer Henwood in the head. A four-year department veteran, Officer Henwood had just completed a tour of duty and had recently returned home from Afghanistan. The marine combat veteran had, in fact, served several tours of duty overseas—including two tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine—but sadly, it turned out to be far more deadly for him here at home. His father, Rob Henwood, said he hopes his son's death will remind people about the recognition and honor police officers deserve.

Leave a tribute to Officer Henwood at www.LawMemorial.org/Tributes.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44167629#44167629. 

Recent College Grad Runs Across the U.S. to Honor Fallen Heroes

Sarah, the 22-year-old daughter of a retired San Bernardino City (CA) Police Lieutenant, is in the midst of running cross-country as a tribute to the memory of fallen peace officers and those who served in the Armed Forces.

After graduating from college, Sarah was faced with the big question many recent grads encounter—what’s next? As explained on her blog “Chasing Asphalt,” Sarah didn’t know the answer to that daunting question. “So I decided to go for a run in the meantime … from California to New York,” she said.

Her journey began on July 24 in Huntington Beach, and she is set to touch down in New York by late November or early December. While traversing the United States on foot is bound to be mentally and physically exhausting, Sarah said the purpose of her journey will enable her to persevere against all odds.

So far, she has been accompanied by both law enforcement officers and firefighters—either escorting her in patrol vehicles or running alongside her—for as much as 40-mile stretches as she passes through the Morongo Basin in southern California.

Although she never bargained for or anticipated any monetary support, she has received some donations that she plans to give to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Fallen Firefighter Foundation.

For more information:
http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2011/08/10/sports/doc4e423124a964a946779140.txt
http://chasingasphalt.wordpress.com