Operation Deep Blue to raise money and awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Washington, DC—Operation Deep Blue is making its way to the nation’s capital to raise money and awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Three kayakers and four ground crew will begin their inaugural journey Saturday, May 4, 2019, from Ft. Mott in Pennsville, NJ to Washington, DC, just in time for National Police Week.
“We are excited about this inaugural journey, says Operation Deep Blue Organizer Tom Hauck. “We believe the popularity of Operation Deep Blue will continue to grow and help us raise even more money and awareness to honor our fallen heroes.” Â
Operation Deep Blue is comprised of federal, state, county and local law enforcement officers. Kayakers will paddle 225 miles at an average speed of four to five miles per hour. Traveling approximately 32 miles per day, they will cross the Delaware River, paddle through the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal and make their way to the Elk River.
The kayakers will then reach the Chesapeake Bay, heading south to the Potomac River and finally wrapping up their journey at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, MD on Friday, May 10, 2019. Along the way, they’ll be assisted by various federal, state and local law enforcement marine services units.
On Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 2:30 pm, the kayakers will attend a welcome ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, where they will present the Memorial Fund with a check.
“The Memorial Fund is extremely grateful and appreciative of the support and fundraising initiatives of Operation Deep Blue,” says Lori Sharpe Day, Interim CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “Their contribution and dedication to making sure our fallen officers are not forgotten are impressive.”
This year, the names of 371 officers who died in the line of duty will be added to the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and will be formally dedicated during the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil on Monday, May 13 on the National Mall. The names include 158 officers who died in 2018 as well as 213 officers who died earlier in history but whose sacrifice had not been previously documented. Among them is Chesterfield County (VA) Sheriff Benjamin Branch, whose end of watch on April 29, 1786, makes him the oldest known officer death on the Memorial.
With these additions, there are 21,910 officers’ names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, and military police agencies.
| WHAT: | Operation Deep Blue Kayakers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial  |
| WHEN: | Welcome Ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Saturday, May 11 at 2:30 pm Please RSVP to Robyn Small at [email protected]. |
| WHERE: | National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Located on E Street between 4th and 5th Streets NW, Washington, DC at Judiciary Square Metro Station |
| WHO: | Tom Hauck Organizer, Operation Deep Blue Lori Sharpe Day Memorial Fund Interim Chief Executive Officer |
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About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 21,910 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund has opened the new National Law Enforcement Museum, which tells the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience. The Museum is working to expand and enrich the relationship shared by law enforcement and the community through the Museum’s educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.
Robyn Small
[email protected]
(202) 737-8524