2021 POLICE WEEKEND | RECAP

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund would like to thank our entire community for joining us last month for Police Weekend. More than 10,000 law enforcement officers, survivors of our fallen heroes, and supporters from around the country came to Washington, DC, to attend the Candlelight Vigil and other important events at the Memorial and Museum, and many thousands more participated virtually watching livestreams and lighting virtual candles.

33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil

On October 14, we held the 33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC, at the National Mall, to honor the officers whose names were added to the Memorial Wall in 2020 and 2021. A total of 701 names were read aloud by high-ranking government officials from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as other related individuals.

Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ride-In and Ceremony

The Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ride-In and Ceremony took place on October 13 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Between 800-1,000 cyclists finished the last leg of their journey by riding into the Memorial in honor of fallen law enforcement.

Starting in Morris County, NJ, cyclists rode 45-50 miles to Somerset County, NJ. From there, they rode 100 miles to Wilmington, DE, then to Annapolis, MD, after another 100 miles. Their final trip was around 60 miles as they traveled to the Memorial in Washington, DC.

Watch the Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ride-In here.

Following the Ride-In was the Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ceremony, where leaders of the Police Unity Tour honored the Memorial, the riders, and all of the fallen officers they represent with special recognition to commemorate 25 years of riding.

Watch the Police Unity Tour Bicycle Ceremony here.

Wreath Laying Ceremony and Stand Watch for the Fallen

On October 16, following the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol, the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Grand Lodge Fraternal of Police Auxiliary proceeded to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony.

Afterwards, Honor Guards from across the nation stood vigil at the Memorial to honor the fallen.

Watch the Wreath Laying Ceremony here.