Module Z National Law Enforcement Memorial And Museum

One of the many moving and powerful experiences I have had working in law enforcement was a visit to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.. There are more than "23,000 officers who died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1786." (Source NLEOMF.org). I recently visited the Memorial again to locate the names of two of my former students who both died in the line of duty on the same day, March 19, but in different years.

One of my more recent visits included touring the National Law Enforcement Museum, which opened in 2018 just across the three from the Memorial. I was so impressed with what I saw that I wanted to share some of it with you all here. I believe so much in the mission of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund (the organization that oversees the Memorial and Museum) that I became an Ambassador in order to help make all of the programs and services they provide more widely known.

I invite you to explore the various programs here, but hope you will get a chance to see it all for yourself if you get to visit Washington D.C..

RESPECT. HONOR. REMEMBER.

"The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the foremost organization that memorializes law enforcement heroes who die in the line of duty."

The National Law Enforcement Memorial

"The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people."

Learn more about the Memorial including how names are added to the walls. If you know an officer who was killed in the line of duty, you can locate that officer's name on the wall using an online search. Here is a graphical map of the Memorial with a few famous names that appear on the wall.

Walking tour and map of the memorial.

The National Law Enforcement Museum

Law enforcement Museum opened its doors in 2018. Visitors enter the multi-story building and descend underground to being the tour. "Within the walls of the Museum’s strikingly contemporary exterior, artifacts from our collection of more than 25,000 objects tell the story of American law enforcement – past, present, and future – and engage visitors of all ages in memorable, immersive and experiential exhibits. More importantly, we’re proud that the Museum will serve as a platform for constructive dialogue to help strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve."

National Law Enforcement Museum

Inside you will find a driving simulator, use of force simulator, police vehicles, and stories of law enforcement from around the United States. The Museum offers all kinds of educational programs, speakers, and tours. Take a closer look at the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Police vehicles from inside of the law enforcement museum.

Officer Safety And Wellness Programs

It only makes sense that one of the important missions of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund is to work at keeping names off the Memorial wall. Officer safety and wellness are important concerns for every person working in law enforcement and every citizen law enforcement serves.

"The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund hosts a national database of programs that promote officer safety and wellness. Additionally, the Memorial Fund maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness.

The Officer Safety and Wellness team participates in national and regional law enforcement conferences and expos, making safety presentations, and providing important collateral designed to improve officer safety tactics, technologies, and procedures. At the annual Destination Zero National Officer Safety and Wellness awards ceremony in Washington DC, the Memorial Fund recognizes law enforcement departments from across the country who have implemented cutting edge officer safety and wellness programs that provide best practices and material to help reduce the number of officer fatalities and increase officer wellness and safety. These award winning safety and wellness resources are permanently on DestinationZero.org" - (Source NLEOMF.org)

Click the image below to learn more about the Officer Safety and Wellness programs offered by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.

National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund logo.