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WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 8, 2022) – The Board of Directors of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), whose mission is to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement, and make it safer for those who serve, today announced the winners of their annual awards in the categories of Distinguished Service, Lifetime Achievement, and Excellence in Media.

The NLEOMF Board Awards program recognizes exceptional achievements in the law enforcement profession as well as enlightens both law enforcement professionals and the general public about extraordinary law enforcement achievements.

“Our national awards program is essential to creating public awareness of important law enforcement accomplishments that lead to greater engagement between the law enforcement profession and the communities they serve,” said Lori Sharpe Day, Chair of the Board of NLEOMF.

The 2022 winners are:

• John Ashcroft Distinguished Service Award: Commissioner (Ret) Charles H. Ramsey
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Pat Montuore, Founder and CEO, Police Unity Tour
• Excellence in Media Award: Verizon First Responder Advisory Council

The John Ashcroft Distinguished Service Award
The John Ashcroft Distinguished Service Award is NLEOMF’s top award. It is presented annually to an individual or organization who has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession. The award is given to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession, including increasing public support for the law enforcement profession, and promoting law enforcement safety/awareness/assisting in combating crime in America. Commissioner (Ret) Charles H. Ramsey, who served as Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department before leading the DC and Philadelphia Police Departments, has positively influenced policing in America through his many years of service within the profession and has made important contributions to the direction and future of policing. He is an outspoken supporter who is unafraid to support those on the streets and to call out facts as well as fiction. As a CNN contributor, Ramsey often speaks on law enforcement actions and does a great deal to dispel myths, explain the challenges and sacrifices of law enforcement and to encourage more support.

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a deserving individual or organization that has taken a long-term leadership role in helping the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in its work to honor the service and sacrifice of the law enforcement profession. The recipient of this award is recognized for making extraordinary contributions to NLEOMF and/or the National Law Enforcement Museum through a body of work that positively impacted the law enforcement community over their lifetime. Pat Montuore founded Police Unity Tour in 1997 as a four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, DC to raise public awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten. What started with 18 riders on a four-day fundraising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. has grown into 2,600 members nationwide who make the trip annually. Under Montuore’s leadership, the Police Unity Tour has provided donations to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund totaling more than $33 million since its inception.

Excellence in Media
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Excellence in Media Award is presented to individuals or groups within the journalism, news, media and/or entertainment industries who have made an exceptional contribution to the law enforcement profession. The Verizon First Responder Advisory Council (VFRAC) was formed in 2019 and is made up of many of the country’s most respected and accomplished leaders representing all facets of the public safety community, including emergency management, fire, public health and law enforcement. Working as an advisory and advocacy organization, the VFRAC supports the advancement of technology and communications to improve the safety of public safety officers and agencies and the communities they serve.

“The 2022 roster of our annual award winners speaks volumes about the heroes of our country and those dedicated to honoring our heroes who protect and serve the nation,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is uniquely qualified to bestow such honors because of its role in the law enforcement community, and the unique make-up of our board of directors representing the leadership of all the major law enforcement organizations of the nation.”

The awards will be formally presented to the winners at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC, during the organization’s Awards Ceremony and Reception in Washington, DC, on Sept. 30, 2022.