With events starting as early as Tuesday, May 6th and running through Friday, May 16, "National Police Week" obviously isn't just a week long -- and there's simply no way to fit everything into a single week. The events of the week each have their own participants and observers; those who attend Police Week with that event as their priority. Every event means something different to each attendee although the Candlelight Vigil is very obviously the highlight event each year.
On May 6, the 14th Annual Blue Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in northwest Washington D.C. The next event was on Friday, May 9, that being the 29th Annual Memorial Service for Law Enforcement Officers in the Washington D.C. / Baltimore Region. In 2007, Maryland, DC and Virginia lost seven officers who died in the line of duty. Sponsored by the Auxiliary unit of D.C.'s FOP Lodge No. 1, as you can see from the "29th Annual" part, this ceremony stretches back to 1979.
On Saturday, May 10, the DC Generals played in the National Police Week Football Game. This year their opponents were the California Blue Knights. Proceeds from the game benefited the Concerns Of Police Survivors (COPS) organization. COPS is dedicated to supporting the surviving families of fallen officers. The DC Generals won 39 to 6!
Each year on Mother's Day, because that's always the first official day of Police Week, the Annual Law Ride occurs. This year's was the 13th annual iteration. The procession of motorcycles assembled at RFK Stadium and rode to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. When several thousand motorcycles ride along in procession it's slightly awe-inspiring. If you're a motorcycle enthusiast, it can be breath taking. If you're part of the law enforcement community and you are a motorcycle enthusiast, the combination makes the Law Ride unforgettable.
Several things happened on Monday, May 12. Bright and early at the Twin Lakes Golf Course, hosted by the Fairfax County Police Association and Fairfax Coalition of Police, there was the Unsung Heroes Golf Classic. With a tee time of 8:30 (that's awfully early on a Monday morning), the tournament proceeds went to support the Matter of Honor campaign for the National Law Enforcement Museum.
At approximately two that afternoon (1400 hours for those who don't know how to tell time any other way) was the Police Unity Tour Arrival Ceremony. Riding bicycles in from New Jersey and Virginia, these officers and supporters put several hundred miles on their bicycles. Those who participated could be easily identified throughout the week as they wore their Police Unity Tour bicycle jackets.
That evening at seven was the 15th Annual TOP COPS Awards Ceremony. Hosted by the National Association of Police Organizations, this is an event where officers can relax a bit and have some fun making fun of each other and themselves. Only during Police Week can you actually find a donut eating contest that awards prizes.
On Tuesday the 13th there were three ceremonies:
- The Police Unity Tour Interdenominational Christian Service
- The Justice Leadership Initiative
- The 20 Annual Candlelight Vigil
Wednesday the 14th kicked off at 8:30 a.m. with the Sixth Annual Steve Young Honor Guard Competition. This is an impressive event, especially when you take into consideration the precision each member of a given team has to operate with. When everyone is in lock-step the guy who isn't quite there stands out like a sore thumb. This year the competition was won by the Border Patrol Honor Guard team.
Throughout the day there were two events:
- The National Police Survivors' Conference, and
- The Driving for Donors National Marrow Donor Drive
The Bone Marrow Donor program took me by surprise. Set up right in front of the NLEOM Visitor's Center, the program's purpose was to register potential bone marrow donors nationwide. Registering took about ten minutes and required, along with the paperwork, only rubbing four swabs inside your cheeks. It was impressive to see how many people were lining up to register, but then again -- it WAS a gathering of people already dedicated to protecting and serving.
That afternoon was the Shomrim Society Kaddish Service for fallen Jewish law enforcement officers. After the service was a luncheon at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. I talked to a couple officers who attended this and they described it as a moving service of memory and honor. And finally, that evening, was the 13th Annual Emerald Society & Pipeband March and Service. The march assembled at New Jersey Ave. and F Street in northwest and marched to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at six p.m.
Thursday, May 15 was marked by the 27th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day Services followed by the Wreathlaying Ceremony. Hosted by the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, even after all the other services and ceremonies that had taken place, this Peace Officers Memorial Day Service carried an emotional weight unique to itself. The symbolism of the wreathlaying ceremony created a somber tone amongst those in attendance.
Today, Friday the 16th, there are two on-going events. COPS is hosting another Survivor Conference at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. Parallel with that is the National Police Challenge 50-Kilometer Relay Race coordinated by the U.S. Secret Service at their training center in Laurel, MD.
Having read through all of the above you can see that the week is full and interesting. For those from the law enforcement community who are in attendance, it's a mix of fun, camaraderie and respect. For the survivors who attend it can be part of the healing process, stitching together a wound that will never be gone or forgotten.
If you're a law enforcement professional who has never attended Police Week, put it on your calendar for next year. It's a "must do" at least once in your career. But be warned . . . once you've come once, you'll want to come back every year.
