Why We're Here.

Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American Law Enforcement and making it safer for those who serve.

A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Washington, DC, the Memorial Fund built and continues to maintain the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial—the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The Memorial Fund is a principal organizer of the National Police Week observance each May and hosts a Candlelight Vigil each May 13th to honor all fallen officers. In addition, the Memorial Fund maintains the largest, most comprehensive database of line-of-duty officer deaths, conducts research into officer fatality trends and issues, and serves as an information clearinghouse.

More recently, the Memorial Fund has built the National Law Enforcement Museum, adjacent to the Memorial in Washington, DC. The Museum tells the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education.

The Memorial Fund is governed by a Board of Directors representing 15 of the most prestigious law enforcement organizations in the country. In addition, four major corporate partners serve on the Board of Directors including Motorola, Police Unity Tour, Verizon, and DuPont. The Memorial Fund’s dedicated staff members bring diverse backgrounds and skills to the organization’s mission. The Memorial Fund does not receive taxpayer dollars for its day-to-day operations, but relies on the generous contributions of the public.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is to honor the role of law enforcement, in service to society, by recognizing the sacrifices and valor of law enforcement, educating the community, and making it safer for those who serve.

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The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Three Pillars

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Honoring Our Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Since its founding in 1984, the Memorial and Museum has hosted events that honor fallen officers and their surviving families.

Each year prior to National Police Week, the names of the fallen are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Every May 13, the names of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the previous calendar year, as well as the names of the newly discovered historical line-of-duty deaths, are dedicated and read aloud during our annual Candlelight Vigil.

Many other events honoring our fallen heroes take place at the Memorial during the year, including wreath laying ceremonies and group visits to this hallowed ground. Additionally, the Memorial serves as a sacred place for law enforcement agencies from across the nation to hold their own ceremonies to honor their fallen colleagues.

Telling Their Stories, Paying Homage to a Proud Profession

The Museum’s beautiful and emotionally moving Hall of Remembrance provides a reflective space for visitors to remember their fallen loved ones and offers an inextricable link between the Memorial and the Museum.

A world-class collection of more than 21,000 objects and artifacts helps introduce Museum visitors to the tools, changes, and trends that have shaped law enforcement history from its inception to present times.

The Museum executes experiential and educational tours, workshops, and virtual classes for adult, family, and student groups exploring the many different aspects of law enforcement. Family-focused public programs invite visitors of all ages to learn about law enforcement through age-appropriate activities. Adult educational programs provide unique opportunities to learn about historic events and contemporary issues from expert law enforcement officers.

Making It Safer for Those Who Serve

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial serves as a national clearinghouse for information and statistics on law enforcement line-of-duty deaths, as well as 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 officer line-of-duty deaths. Twice a year, the organization publishes officer fatality reports that identify trends and factors related to officer line-of-duty deaths.

Memorial and Museum staff regularly participate in law enforcement conferences and expos, making safety presentations and providing important collateral designed to improve officer safety tactics and best practices. In an annual awards ceremony, the Memorial Fund recognizes law enforcement departments across the country who have implemented officer safety and wellness programs which provide best practices and information to help reduce the number of officer fatalities and increase officer wellness and safety.