An Update on our Progress from the Board Chair.
Attention All Active, Retired, Family and Friends
of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police
Memorial and Museum, Inc.
(October 22, 2021) When I wrote to you way back in October 2013, I informed everyone about our organization and goals, which are:
- to renovate the unsightly Police Memorial fountain that sits in front of the Daly Building, built-in 1942;
- to design and build a befitting Memorial Wall, in honor of all who made the ultimate sacrifice, with the names of our fallen inscribed;
- and to partner with the department and reopen and operate the DC Police Museum to educate the residents and visitors to our Nation’s Capital of the unique and rich history of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
A lot has happened since 2013. This letter will serve to update you on the status of these projects and how you can play a role to help.
First, a hearty thanks to our retirees, spouses, and friends for your support. To date, our only request of you has been donations and you have met that challenge. Your generosity provided seed money for implementing administration needs, developing and maintaining our website at www.dcpolicememorial.org and the costly architectural designs presented to, and approved by, the DC Government (DCG) and US Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). That was huge.
The second expensive renovation phase was recently completed with the engineering due diligence inspection of the grounds below the fountain. This was funded by our former MPD colleague, Mr. Don Graham. With due diligence completed, we may now begin phase three – the final architectural engineering construction designs and approvals. Once phase three has been completed, we will move to phase four, the renovation and construction of the fountain and wall.
From the start, we wanted to follow the example set by citizens and the business community in 1918, when they raised the funds for the construction of the original fountain, later built 1n 1942. They set a precedent to honor fallen DC police officers by not using any government funding. So far, we have followed their lead and we believe we will complete our projects without government funding. However, we now need to go public to seek additional funding. We have hired a marketing company to help guide us.
I am incredibly pleased that we have the financial backing of Mr. Graham. Most of you know him as the former publisher of The Washington Post and later was the lead independent director of Facebook’s board of directors. He is now Chairman of Graham Holdings Company.
Some interesting facts many don’t know about Don include that, after graduating in 1966 from Harvard, he served with the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. More importantly to us, following his discharge from the military, Don served as a member of the MPD, assigned to the Ninth Precinct. There he walked a beat and rode in a scout car or patrol wagon. He displays his MPD hat and cap plate in his office and is proud that he was a member of the Department. We are too.
Don has pledged his support for this project and provided the funds for phase two. In addition, he has promised to seek help from his business colleagues for the rest of the funding. Between Don, the business community and support from active and retired members, families and friends, I am certain we can raise this amount. The estimated cost of this project is $4.5 million. That’s a lot of money, but I am confident we will meet our goal.
How Can You Help?
The short answer is to DONATE! All donations help, but we need everyone to dig deep and the end of the year is a great time to donate and receive a tax deduction. Several members have made multiple donations; many have donated $1,000 and several donate that amount annually.
Some have asked if they can set up monthly payments? The answer is yes. Some have made quarterly payments. In fact, one member continues making a quarterly payment of $500.
Some have said they will make a significant donation as soon as they know this project is moving forward – that time is now.
Some have said they plan to bequeath a substantial donation in their wills. This is wonderful. We do need to continue receiving funds long after the memorial has been complete to ensure we can maintain its beauty. However, I urge donations now so you can witness the completion of this long-overdue Police Memorial for our fallen.
It is paramount we show the public and business community we care about our fallen. We do that by demonstrating that we can raise our share ($1 million) for the necessary funds for the project. If we can do that, I feel certain the business community will follow suit.
How to donate?
- Mail a check to the Police Federal Credit Union (PFCU) at the address shown on the attached donation form.
- Setup monthly donations by contacting Ms. Pattie Bartholomew, 301-817-1213 at the PFCU
- Donate online
As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax deductible. You may also honor or remember a loved one or former colleague with a special dedication to be posted on our website. If you donate online, you will be directed to the dedication form. If you donate by check, please see instructions on the form.
We owe support to our Brothers and Sisters in Blue who gave their lives as members of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Remember, We All Gave Some, But Some Gave All. As the late Shirley Gibson, mother of fallen officer Brian Gibson, and founder of the DC Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (DC-COPS), asked “How can our department and our city, the Nation’s Capital, not do more to honor our fallen officers than having this deteriorating Memorial fountain?” Most of the city doesn’t realize the fountain is the memorial to our officers who sacrificed their lives. She went on to say that every officer who died while keeping our city safe deserves to be honored with a proper memorial. In a city filled with monuments and memorials that belong to our nation and the world, this one would be just for our city, our own Police Department and, more importantly, one for which the families could be proud. She concluded by saying, “Let’s make this happen!” I agree. Let’s make this happen!!!
Don Blake
Founder & President
The DC Police Memorial and Museum is working to renovate the current Memorial Fountain, which is in disrepair, and build a Memorial Wall to include the names of all MPD officers who have died in the line of duty in our city.
Won’t you help us?
Rendering of the new Memorial Wall to be built by the DC Police Memorial and Museum.