Attention Active, Retired, Family and Friends of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department,
On behalf of the Washington D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Memorial and Museum Project, Inc., we are pleased to announce that the D.C. Government has authorized the renovation of the neglected Police Memorial Fountain, as well as the building of a new police memorial wall that will appropriately honor our 121 officers who died in the line of duty.
Just over nine years ago, we requested permission from Chief Cathy Lanier to raise funds to honor our fallen officers, as the original structure was built in 1942 and in dire need of repairs. Over the years, we encountered many challenges; but, we are finally moving forward.
We expect to complete the project over the next two years.
I want to thank the Board of Directors; Chiefs Cathy Lanier; Peter Newsham and all former Chiefs of Police for their continued support and assistance; the active and retired members of the force; the Association of Retired Police; the Police Federal Credit Union; and, the DC Crime Solvers, who provided us with the necessary seed funding for the design (see renderings below). Special thanks to the DC Police Foundation and to the families of our fallen for their donations, prayers and support.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the founder of the D.C. Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, Mrs. Shirley Gibson, who went on to become the National Chair and traveled around the country speaking on behalf of survivors. Shirley is but one of many parents of a slain MPD Officer, but her moving testimony was an enormous help in securing the approval of the memorial by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
When we began, we were determined not to use government funds. We remain proud that funding has only come from citizens and the business community, the same funding process used for the original fountain. In addition to your support, we now have the support of Mr. Don Graham. Don served as an MPD patrolman in the Ninth Precinct in the late 60’s and early 70’s, where, like all of us, he walked the beat, rode in a scout car or a patrol wagon. Today, he is better known as the Chairman of Graham Holdings Company and the former Publisher of The Washington Post.
We are still in need of financial help!
Recognizing that we all gave some, we must remember that SOME GAVE ALL and we can never forget them or their families. Please make a tax deductible donation of any size to our non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. All monies go to the project, we have no paid employees. You may send a check and use the attached donation form so the entire donation goes to the project or for PFCU members, you can transfer funds from your account to the Fund by calling the credit union at 301-817-1200. You may also donate online by using the button below.
Please show your support by donating today.
Please follow us on the DC Police Memorial Website to see how we are working to make this dream a reality. We owe it to our fallen and their families. Share this with all current and former members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, friends and members of the business community who support law enforcement.
Thank you,
Don Blake
Founder & President
