Law Enforcement Ambassador & Guardian Spotlight: McKinley Smith

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund enjoys the support of a special group of volunteers: Law Enforcement Ambassadors and Guardians. Law Enforcement Ambassadors are active and retired law enforcement officers from city, state, federal and military law enforcement agencies, while Law Enforcement Guardians are volunteers who support and honor law enforcement but are not sworn officers, allowing citizens, family members and corporate supporters to work closely with the Memorial Fund in achieving our goals.


McKinley Smith has been one of our Law Enforcement Ambassadors for the past three years. Among his many accomplishments, McKinley retired from the military as an MP for the Army, served at the Pentagon, and has been an active supporter of both law enforcement organizations, namely the Memorial Fund, as well as those that support our military veterans. McKinley has been involved with our Law Enforcement Appreciation Events—reaching out to the Chicago Bears and Military Police Battalions in the Chicago area—and was an integral part of promoting the Appreciation Event with the Chicago White Sox.

And most recently, McKinley became involved with our new United by Light campaign, which encourages those who aren’t able to travel to DC for National Police Week to conduct their own candlelight vigils at home. McKinley took the reigns in doing just that, by organizing a local event to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers in his community of Highwood, Illinois. Partnering with Buffo’s and J.J. Service Center in Highwood, McKinley helped to host a special vigil event on May 13 and raise several hundred dollars for the Memorial Fund. Members of the Highwood, Highland Park, Lake Bluff and Lake Forest, Police Departments were recognized.

Thank you to McKinley Smith for his leadership and commitment to our very important mission.