Honoring the Past, Looking Forward to the Future
Each May, the nation’s only living monument welcomes as many as 30,000 visitors to the heart of downtown Washington, DC to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The names of the brave men and women who died in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Currently there are 21,910 names engraved on the wall, each representing a legacy of service and sacrifice.
The Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to these fallen heroes. Its beautiful curved walls are guarded by the statues of female lions and her cubs, a symbol of the protective nature of law enforcement. Adjacent to this living monument lies the National Law Enforcement Museum. Opened in 2018, the Museum introduces visitors to the world of law enforcement with interactive and immersive exhibits, a world-class collection of artifacts and a robust schedule of public programs that foster dialogue between law enforcement and the community it serves. It is the only national museum dedicated to the history of law enforcement in America.
The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum provide visitors with a year-round place to honor the fallen, learn about the history of law enforcement and the future of this proud profession. It’s striking contemporary glass pavilions are a gateway into the world of law enforcement, its lessons, challenges and opportunities. Within the Museum, the Hall of Remembrance provides a reflective space to remember the fallen. Visitors may use one of several kiosks to look up the name of a fallen officer, leave a tribute message or simply reflect on the service and sacrifice of the officers whose names are engraved on the Memorial.
National Police Week provides law enforcement officers from around the country and from all branches of law enforcement an opportunity to come together. It is an opportunity for these brave men and women to honor and remember the fallen and to embrace the many survivors who come with their families to grieve the loss of an officer and to heal in a place where they know their loved ones will not be forgotten. The names of each of those who died in the line of duty are read during a moving Candlelight Vigil, a moving ceremony that ensures those who gave their lives to keep others safe will never be forgotten.
Police Week is not only about loss. It is an opportunity to celebrate camaraderie with fellow officers, to connect with the public and look towards the future. It is a week of hope, honor and commitment. It is a chance to reconnect, to recharge and to remember the job of a law enforcement officer is not an easy one, but it is a calling that carries with it great responsibility and great reward.
For more information about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, please visit lawmemorial.org. For more information about the National Law Enforcement Museum, please visit lawenforcementmuseum.org.