National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial facts for kids
Memorial logo
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| Coordinates | 38°53′48.28″N 77°1′3.19″W / 38.8967444°N 77.0175528°W |
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| Location | 444 E Street, NW, Washington, DC, United States |
| Designer | Davis Buckley |
| Type | Memorial Wall |
| Material | Marble |
| Length | 304 ft |
| Beginning date | 1984 |
| Opening date | October 15, 1991 |
| Dedicated to | Law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty |
| Website | www.nleomf.org |
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is a special place in Washington, D.C.. It's located near Judiciary Square and next to the National Law Enforcement Museum. This memorial honors over 23,700 brave U.S. law enforcement officers who have died while doing their job. A former police officer and US Representative, Mario Biaggi, helped create the fund that built this memorial.
Contents
Building the Memorial: A Look Back
Starting the Idea
The idea for a national police memorial began in 1972. Donald J. Guilfoil, a detective, first suggested creating a memorial. Later, Representative Mario Biaggi, who was a police officer himself, joined with Senator Claiborne Pell. Together, they worked to create a national memorial for all fallen law enforcement officers in America.
Making it Happen
In October 1984, a law was passed to allow the memorial to be built. Fifteen national law enforcement groups worked together on this project. They helped design the memorial, find a place for it, and raise money to build it. These groups still help manage the memorial today.
New Members Join In
Over the years, more groups have joined the memorial's board. In 2009, the Police Unity Tour became a member. This group is made up of officers who ride bicycles hundreds of miles to the memorial. They do this every May during National Police Week to honor fallen officers.
Memorial Dedication and Annual Events
Opening the Memorial
Seven years after the law was passed, the memorial officially opened. This happened on October 15, 1991. When it first opened, over 12,000 names of fallen officers were carved into its walls. Today, there are over 23,200 names on the memorial.
Candlelight Vigil
Every year during National Police Week, a special event takes place. The Memorial Fund hosts a candlelight vigil. During this event, new names added to the memorial walls are formally honored. More than 40,000 people usually attend this moving ceremony.
Memorial Design and Location
A Place for Reflection
Architect Davis Buckley designed the memorial. It features a calm reflecting pool surrounded by walkways. The memorial sits on a 3-acre park. Along the walkways, you'll find walls with the names of all U.S. law enforcement officers carved into them. These include federal, state, and local officers.
Visiting the Memorial
One entrance to the Judiciary Square Metro station is right at the memorial site. The memorial also has a gift shop inside the National Law Enforcement Museum. Here, visitors can learn more about law enforcement history and the officers honored on the walls. The museum is located at 444 E Street, NW, Washington, DC.
Funding the Memorial
Even though the memorial is on government land, it was built and is kept up with private money. This means no taxpayer dollars were used for its construction or maintenance. A special fund helps pay for its upkeep. This fund gets money from things like the sale of special silver coins.
Bronze Lion Sculptures
Guardians of the Memorial
The memorial features four beautiful bronze lion sculptures. There are two male lions and two female lions. Each adult lion watches over a pair of lion cubs. Raymond Kaskey sculpted the adult lions, and George Carr created the cubs.
Meaningful Quotes
Below each lion, a different quote is carved into the stone. These quotes share important messages about courage and sacrifice:
- "It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived." —Vivian Eney Cross, Survivor
- "In valor there is hope." —Tacitus
- "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion." —Proverbs 28:1
- "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." —President George H. W. Bush
Gallery
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National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (detail) -
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial lioness statue
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National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial lion statue
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The sides of the memorial's walkways are inscribed with the names of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. -
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Candlelight Vigil -
General view
See also
- List of national memorials of the United States
- National Police Memorial in the United Kingdom
- National Police Memorial Australia
- Peace Officers Memorial Day
- The Officer Down Memorial Page
- Blue Mass
