The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, DC, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1, and the DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors hosted the 33rd Annual Washington Area Police Memorial Service at MPD’s Headquarters in downtown DC.
This annual service recognizes the service of all DC Metro area law enforcement officers. Special recognition was given to three officers, Sergeant Michael Boehm, United States Park Police; Officer William Torbit Jr., Baltimore City Police Department; and Trooper First Class Shaft Hunter who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2011.
Introductory remarks were given by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier, followed by guest speakers Vincent Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia and Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Representatives from Baltimore City Police Department, the United States Park Police, and the Maryland State Police spoke about their officers lost in the past year, which was followed by a solemn roll call of fallen heroes from the DC Metro area.
As the names were read, survivors, law enforcement officers and friends placed blue roses along the edge of the fountain at the Washington Law Enforcement Memorial. As a special tribute, two helicopters, one from MPD and one from the US Park Police conducted a ceremonial fly-over at the end of the service.
The names of the three officers honored at the service today will be dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil this Sunday, May 13th at 8:00 pm, along with 359 other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and whose names were added in 2012.
Next up: 18t Annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. For more information about National Police Week 2012, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.