Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Memorial & Museum Board of Directors
The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department has a rich history, with plenty of interesting stories and harrowing experiences, stories of self-sacrifice, and everyday heroic actions that ultimately serve to protect the people of this important and bustling city. Additionally, learn more about the Washington DC Police Memorial.
De facto Chairman Pamela A. Smith
Chief, Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
Chief Smith has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience and a decorated career having achieved numerous commendations and awards. While in the US Park Police, Smith served in major city field offices across the United States including San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, and Washington, DC, rising through the ranks to become Chief of Police for the US Park Police in 2021, becoming the first African-American female to serve as Chief in the agency’s 230-year-old history.
Smith joined the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in May 2022 as Chief Equity Officer, assigned to the Executive Office of the Chief of Police. In April of 2023, she was promoted to the Assistant Chief of Police, Homeland Security Bureau and, on November 7th, 2023, she was officially confirmed as Chief of the DC MPD. Her early years in foster care in Pine Bluff, AR fueled her passion for helping and advocating for children. Smith has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. She is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Nick Breul
President, Board of Directors
Nick became President of the DC Police Memorial in March 2024, following 10 years of service on the board of directors. He represents the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, where he works as a Grant Program Specialist on federally funded grants designed to identify fatality trends and commonalities and further the cause of Officer Safety and Wellness.
Nick was born in 1962 in Kansas. After graduating from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in History, he joined the Metropolitan Police Department in October, 1987. Following graduation from the Training Academy he was assigned to the Second District walking a beat. He quickly moved into other areas of police work serving as a scooter officer, vice investigator and then Detective. After promotion to Sergeant he remained assigned to the Second District, supervising a Patrol Service Area.
Patrick Burke
Vice President, Board of Directors
Represents the Washington, DC Police Foundation as its Executive Director. Prior to the Foundation, Burke was U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, a position he was appointed to by President Obama after serving as the former Assistant Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. (MPDC). As a U.S. Marshal, Burke had oversight over security details for 145 Federal Judges, the fugitive unit and warrant squad operations. Prior to that, Burke served in the MPDC for 27 years, where he attained the rank of Assistant Chief in the Strategic Services Bureau.
Danny Gregg
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Represents the Police Federal Credit Union. Danny Gregg is a retired law enforcement executive with over 25 years of public service. He retired as an inspector/director of the Finance and Resource Management Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department in 1995. Today, Danny is the President and CEO of the Police Federal Credit Union of Washington, DC – also managing assets over $150mm. Danny and his wife, Donna, live in Lothian, Maryland. Additionally, their 3-daughters, Danielle, Kristie and Carrie, and their granddaughter, Madasin, and grandson, Liam, all live and work in Annapolis area.
Hector T. Dittamo
Secretary, Board of Directors
Represents the DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) and currently
serves as its Treasurer. Hector Dittamo retired after 43 years of continuous federal service, 23
years on active military duty (US Army) and 20 years with federal civil service. Nearly 28 years
was spent in the PBio – Hector T Dittamoentagon. Unfortunately, Hector’s son was killed in the line-of-duty on October 30, 2010. Since his son’s death, Hector has also been active with National C.O.P.S. and served on the C.O.P.S. National Board for nearly five years.
Bob Arscott
Member, Board of Directors
Represents the Association of Retired Police Officers (AORP) of D.C., and is its vice president. Bob served with distinction in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956. Following his honorable discharge he joined the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department in 1956 and was immediately assigned as an undercover police officer. Throughout his 22-year career that followed, Bob was also assigned to various precincts, districts and criminal investigation divisions serving as Detective, Detective Sergeant and retiring in 1977 as Lieutenant of Detectives. Bob served as Vice President of the DC Police Memorial for 10 years under the leadership of Don Blake.
Bonnie Cannon
Member, Board of Directors
Represents the DC Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Bonnie was selected because of her outstanding support and continued work on the DC Police Memorial, among many other activities to the DC Chapter of the FOP. She represents the members of the Metropolitan Police Department. She is the President and National Trustee for DC and was elected in 2013 to this position as well as Chair for the Legislative Committee for the National FOP Auxiliary.
Jeffrey L. Elie
Member, Board of Directors
Represents Graham Holdings and Don Graham, Chair of its board. For 25 years Jeffrey L. Elie has been Vice President of Global Real Estate and Facilities for Kaplan, Inc., (a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (GHCo)). In his position, Jeff is responsible for the corporate services infrastructure at Kaplan, Inc., and its real estate portfolio. In addition to his Kaplan duties, Jeff also leads the real estate requirements for GHCo and its other subsidiaries.
Joe Gentile
Member, Board of Directors
Represents Crime Solvers of Washington, DC, Inc. Joe Gentile was raised in College Park, Maryland. Armed with an Associate Arts degree in Police Science from Montgomery Junior College in Maryland along with some journalism courses and a year’s experience working as a reporter on the school paper, Joe joined the Metropolitan Police Department in 1967. He began his career in the first precinct walking a foot beat. He later worked the wagon, patrolled in a cruiser and became a crime scene search officer.
Clay Goldston
Member, Board of Directors
Represents Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Clay Goldston is a retired law enforcement executive with 26 1/2 years of public service. Starting as an Officer he worked his way up the ranks and retired at the rank of Deputy Chief, Commander of the Fourth District, Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC.
Founder
Don Blake
Founder & President Emeritus, Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Memorial & Museum
As a 22-year veteran of the department, Don witnessed 30 fellow officers killed-in-the-line-of-duty during his watch. Nine years later he also lost a close friend and colleague, Hank Daly, in one of the most heinous police killings ever witnessed in Washington, D.C. He is also a strong advocate of honoring those who gave their all, Don also believes the department is obligated to do a better job to honor those who laid down their lives.
In 2008, Don Blake put forth the idea that the Memorial Fountain be repaired and made into a better memorial. It was an eyesore that was only turned on once a year for a memorial ceremony, filled with a product to turn the water blue to look more appealing. Don and his wife Terry felt strongly that our pathetic and crumbling memorial was an embarrassment and that something needed to be done. After identifying the appropriate stake holders, a board was established with the blessing of the Metropolitan Washington DC Police Department (MPD) and more than a decade of work got underway. In May of 2023, Don, along with the Memorial Board and key supporters, achieved the goal he set out to achieve in 2011. A newly renovated memorial fountain, and brand-new memorial wall, was dedicated (see dedication photos).