Honoring The Fallen
The MEMORIAL
Respect. Honor. Remember.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the foremost organization that memorializes law enforcement heroes who die in the line of duty.
About The Memorial
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.
The Memorial features two curving, 304-foot-long blue-gray limestone walls. Carved on these walls are the names of more than 24,000 officers who died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1786. Unlike many other memorials in Washington, DC, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is ever-changing: new names of fallen officers are added to it each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week.
Designed by architect Davis Buckley, the Memorial sits on three acres of federal park land in an area of Washington, DC called Judiciary Square, the historic seat of our nation’s judicial branch of government. The Memorial grounds boast plush carpets of grass, nearly 60,000 plants and 128 trees. Each April, more than 10,000 daffodils bloom at the site, providing a burst of color for visitors. The Memorial’s central plaza features an intricate paving pattern and a bronze medallion with the Memorial Fund logo: a blue shield with a red rose draped across it.
Bordering the Memorial’s beautifully landscaped park are the two tree-lined “pathways of remembrance” where the names of the fallen officers are engraved. Each of the pathway entrances is adorned with a powerful statuary grouping of an adult lion protecting its cubs. Sculpted by Raymond Kaskey, the bronze statues symbolize the protective role of law enforcement officers and convey the strength, courage and valor that are hallmarks of those who serve and protect.
A number of commemorative ceremonies are held at the Memorial each year, and the site is visited by nearly a quarter million people annually. The Memorial’s beauty and tranquility make it a special place for reflection, contemplation or just a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Completed in 1991, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial has been visited by millions of people from all over the world to pay their respects to friends, colleagues, loved ones, and those in support of law enforcement. Many are unable to make the journey to walk these sacred grounds. As a way to provide access to all, the Memorial is now available virtually with high-resolution panel images, the grounds. and statues. Desktop viewing is highly recommended.
Honoring The Fallen
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honors fallen peace officers by permanently recording and commemorating their service and sacrifice.
