Creating The DC MPD Police Museum

The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department Museum will honor the service of officers throughout the history of the department and preserve policing artifacts. It will be located on the 11th floor of 441 4th Street, NW.

See early concepts

All Gave Some. Some Gave All.

On May 1, 2023, the DC Police Memorial achieved its 11+ year goal to renovate the existing Memorial Fountain, built in 1942 and build a Memorial Wall with the names of all the MPD officers who have died in the line of duty. The memorial is located in front of the Daly building, the historic headquarters of the MPD, at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW.

125 officers have died in the line of duty in Washington, DC since Abraham Lincoln established the MPD in 1861.

Project Background

DC Police Memorial Mourns the Loss of MPD Officer Wayne David

The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Police Memorial and Museum Inc., wishes to extend our condolences to the family of Officer Wayne David and to our MPD family, as we learn about his tragic death. He was a decorated, stalwart officer,...

annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

Annual Service Held at Newly-Renovated Police Memorial Site

May 7, 2024 - Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police Department, in conjunction with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Auxilliary and DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), held the 45th annual Washington Area Law Enforcement Memorial...

125 Officers in the Line of Duty

During its history, the Washington, DC MPD has lost 125 police officers while serving in the line of duty. To appropriately honor these fallen colleagues, the DC Police Memorial and Museum Board invites you to join us in maintaining our newly-renovatied Memorial Fountain and new Memorial Wall.

Donate To The Memorial

DC Metropolitan Police Museum

President Abraham Lincoln founded the DC MPD in 1861, a time of constant danger in the Nation’s Capital. Lincoln authorized a police force of 10 sergeants and up to 150 patrolmen. Since then, the police department has had a rich, interesting and unique history and we intend to create a museum to promote and preserve this history.

About Our History

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The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Memorial and Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization intended to honor the fallen heroes of the Metropolitan Police Department. We are raising funds for this important work and invite you to join us so these officers and their families are not forgotten. Keep up with news, events and more by following us on Facebook and staying updated.

Fallen Heroes

Sergeant Mark Eckenrode

End of Watch: April 6, 2020
Age: 54

Sergeant Mark Eckenrode is remembered as a devoted DC police officer and veteran of the US Navy who earned many commendations over a career that spanned 23 years. He passed away after suffering a medical emergency while on duty.

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Sergeant Donna L. Allen

End of Watch: April 8, 2020
Age: 49

Sergeant served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 31 years. She began her career as a Police Cadet in 1989 and was assigned to the Third District at the time of her death. She is survived by her mother, two sisters, two brothers and a host of nieces and nephews.

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Senior Officer Keith Williams, Sr.

End of Watch: June 4, 2020
Age: 53

Williams was a 31-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department. His last assignment was with the MPD’s School Safety Division. He passed away from COVID-19 complications and is survived by his wife, four children and granddaughter.

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Officer Paul Dittamo

End of Watch: October 30, 2010
Age: 32

Officer Dittamo had been a member of the Department since June 2009. He was assigned to the Seventh District. He is survived by his wife, Shana Dittamo, their unborn child; parents, Hector and Theresa Dittamo; and seven sisters and brothers.

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The Story of the DC Police Memorial

It took more than a decade, but Founder Don Blake and an all-volunteer board of directors celebrated the Dedication of the DC Police Memorial on May 1st, 2023.

The ceremony marked the right of a wrong and emphasized to Survivors that their loved ones are NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Help us maintain the memorial and provide for its future.

Donations in Memory or Honor

$1,000 donation – In memory of my friend and colleague from the Fourteenth Precinct and the Robbery Squad, Sergeant Hank Daly, and to the 30 MPD Officers killed in the line of duty during my watch, to the other fallen officers from the Metropolitan Police Department and all of the fallen officers across this great country we call America. May you all Rest in Peace.

- Don Blake

$100 donation in memory of Retired MPD Officer Frank Sopata.

Andrew Struhar

Donation in honor of the men and women of the MPDC’s 2nd District who inspired me as an MPDC Reserve Officer from 1976-1978 and on to a 25-year law enforcement career culminating as Chief of Patrol for the Fairfax County Police Department (retired in 2002); Those officers and supervisors who inspired me were: Corbin Weeks, Regina Stitcher, Barbara Waters, Sgt. Ed Jones, Dave Hayhurst, Stanley Hawkins, Charlie Moss, Wallace Terry, Jerry Duke and most importantly Jack Sabella and E.T. Smith. I am forever indebted to them.

- William N. Brown, FCPD Retired

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Core Supporters

Sadly, an average of one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the U.S. every 57 hours. More than 23,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice since 1791 (source).