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Craig W. Floyd, Chairman
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
400 7th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20004
 Photo:
Lawrence Ruggeai, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
In this special "Heroes" issue of the Scottish Rite
Journal, it is appropriate that we recognize the "Thin
Blue Line" of men and women who had dedicated and, sometimes,
given their lives in our defense. Dedicated in 1991 by President
George H. Bush, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
(NLEOM, pictured right) in downtown Washington, D.C., honors the
memories-and the survivors-of thousands of America's fallen heroes.
There was no better example of their valor than on September
11, 2001. Seventy-two officers died in those terrorist attacks,
the deadliest days in law enforcement history. No one doubted
the courage of our law officers on that day. But the heroic service
and sacrifice displayed on 9/11 is not the exception. It is the
rule for our nation's sworn officers. Each and every day in communities
across America, some 740,000 lawmen and women put their lives
on the line for our safety and welfare. Each year, an average
of 61,000 officers are assaulted, 19,000 are injured, and one
is killed every 53 hours. It is comforting to know that there
are some among us who are willing to give so much for others.
The Memorial's blue-gray marble walls display the names of every
known federal, state, and local law enforcer killed in the line
of duty. The walls curve gently through two tree-lined "pathways
of remembrance." Each pathway entrance features a powerful
statuary grouping of an adult lion watching over its cubs-a symbol
of the strength, courage, and valor of those who serve and protect
us. Each year, an average of about 300 new names are added to
the Memorial's walls. Some were found by continuing historical
research. The rest are deaths from the previous year-- an annual
reminder of the terrible price so many have paid for our peace
and safety.
When next in our nation's capital, please plan to visit the Memorial
or you can take a virtual tour via the Internet at www.nleomf.com.
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