NLEOMF 18th Anniversary Wreathlaying

Washington, DC - Law enforcement leaders, survivors of officers killed in the line of duty and other supporters will mark the 18th anniversary of the dedication of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on October 15, at 11 a.m., during the annual Wreathlaying Ceremony at the Memorial in downtown Washington, DC.

Joseph Persichini, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, and Virginia Hill O'Branovich, whose husband, Alexandria (VA) Police Corporal Charles Hill, was shot and killed in the line of duty 20 years ago, are the featured speakers at the event. A special tribute will be paid to the four law enforcement officers from Maryland and Virginia and the four federal law enforcement agents who lost their lives in the performance of duty over the previous 12 months.

Twenty-five years ago, on October 19, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Public Law 98-534, authorizing the establishment of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on federal land in an area of the nation's capital known as Judiciary Square. Almost exactly seven years later, on October 15, 1991, the Memorial was dedicated during a ceremony led by President George H.W. Bush. At the time of its dedication, the Memorial's marble walls contained the names of 12,668 fallen law enforcement officers.

Since then, some 6,000 more names have been added to the Memorial; today it commemorates the service and sacrifice of 18,661 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first recorded officer death in 1792.

Each October, leaders and supporters of the Memorial Fund gather at the Memorial to mark the anniversary of its dedication with a special Wreathlaying Ceremony. Traditionally, officers from the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area and members of federal law enforcement who have died in the performance of duty during the previous 12 months are honored.

"Just as it did 18 years ago, this Memorial continues to send a very powerful and clear message: Americans respect our law enforcement officers, we honor their service and we will always remember their sacrifice," said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

WHAT:
18th Annual Wreathlaying Ceremony
To commemorate the October 1991 dedication of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. A special tribute is paid to officers from the DC region and federal law enforcement who have died in the performance of duty over the past 12 months. Surviving family members and co-workers of the fallen officers are invited to place roses at the Memorial’s center medallion.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 15, 2009 -- 11:00 am

WHERE:
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
400 Block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC

WHO:
Joseph Persichini, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI Washington Field Office
Virginia Hill O’Branovich, whose husband, Alexandria (VA) Police Corporal Charles Hill, was killed in the line of duty in March 1989
NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd
Family members and co-workers of recently fallen officers

As part of the ceremony, special tribute will be paid to the following officers who lost their lives in the performance of duty over the past 12 months: