Imagine standing before two curving, 304-foot-long blue-gray limestone walls. This is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It is not just stone but a testament to service and sacrifice.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honors over 23000 fallen peace officers. The memorial permanently records their service. It commemorates their ultimate sacrifice. Dedicated on October 15 1991 the Memorial stands in Washington D.C. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honors federal tribal state and local law enforcement officers. These officers made the ultimate sacrifice. They ensured the safety and protection of our nation and its people.
Unlike other memorials in Washington D.C. the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial evolves. Each spring new names of fallen officers are added. This addition happens during National Police Week.
Think about the origin of this place. In 1972 Donald J. Guilfoil initiated the federal legislation. He wanted to establish a National Police Memorial. Representative Mario Biaggi joined forces with U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell. Together they worked to honor fallen officers. The legislation authorizing the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was enacted in October 1984.
Picture this the memorial features a reflecting pool surrounded by walkways. The walls along these walkways are inscribed with names. These names represent U.S. law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
Consider the sculptures. Four bronze lions stand guard. Two are male and two are female. Each watches over a pair of lion cubs. Raymond Kaskey sculpted the adult lions. George Carr sculpted the cubs. Below each lion a quotation is carved. One quote reads It is not how these officers died that made them heroes it is how they lived. Vivian Eney Cross a survivor said this. Another quote from President George H. W. Bush reads Carved on these walls is the story of America of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund maintains the memorial. It is a non-profit organization. The memorial was constructed and is maintained with private funds not taxpayer dollars. Public Law 104-329 created a Memorial Maintenance Fund. The United States Secretary of the Interior manages it. The fund is partly funded by the sale of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollars.
Every year during National Police Week thousands gather. They attend a candlelight vigil to formally dedicate the newly added names. More than 40000 visitors attend this ceremony.
As you reflect remember the words carved in stone. This memorial is dedicated to law enforcement officers in the United States of America. Inscribed on these walls are the names of those men and women who died in the line of duty. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial stands as a powerful reminder. It honors the courage and sacrifice of those who protect us.