• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Inaugural Exhibit Showcases the History of Law Enforcement in Protecting the President

Posted on: Thursday, 15 January 2009, 08:00 CST

Roles of U.S. Secret Service and local police are examined at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Visitors Center

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To combat rampant counterfeiting during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln approved creation of the United States Secret Service. The date: April 14, 1865. That evening, the President would be shot and mortally wounded at Ford's Theatre.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090112/DC57979LOGO)

By 1894, the Secret Service had expanded its traditional role of safeguarding the currency to include protecting the President on a part-time basis. With the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Presidential security took on added emphasis. Today, the job of protecting the President -- in Washington, DC, and when he travels around the country -- is carried out through the coordinated efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

The history and significance of Presidential protection is the subject of a special Inaugural exhibit at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Visitors Center, 400 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Drawing from content that will be featured in the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, the exhibit includes informational panels and some of the tools of the trade used by law enforcement to protect the President and other dignitaries.

The exhibit also pays tribute to the 17 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty while guarding the President or, in some cases, Presidential candidates. Sixteen of those officers are currently honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, located in the 400 block of E Street, NW. The 17th officer, Senior Corporal Victor Lozada, Sr., of the Dallas Police Department, died in a motorcycle accident on February 22, 2008, while providing escort duty for Presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Clinton. His name will be added to the Memorial this spring during National Police Week.

"With so many people coming to our nation's capital for the Inauguration of President Obama, we thought it important to remind everyone of the critical and sometimes dangerous role that law enforcement at all levels plays in protecting our leaders," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "The fact that thousands of officers from across the country are participating in Inaugural security this year reflects the commitment and service of officers everywhere to this important and noble responsibility."

Added Mr. Floyd, "Of course, we will always remember those brave and heroic officers who lost their lives protecting the President or Presidential candidates. Their service and sacrifice are shining examples of what law enforcement officers do every day to improve our communities and safeguard our democracy."

The exhibit at the Memorial Visitors Center includes a brief history and other information about the U.S. Secret Service, which is the lead agency on Presidential protection. An expanded exhibit on the Secret Service will be included in the National Law Enforcement Museum, a 95,000 square foot, world class museum that is expected to open in Washington, DC, in 2012. The Museum will feature high-tech, interactive exhibitions, including use-of-force and high-speed driving simulators; precious artifacts and oral histories; and extensive research, educational and public programming for young people and adults.

For the Inauguration, the Visitors Center will have expanded hours from 12 noon - 9 pm on January 18, and from 9 am - 9 pm on January 19-21. In addition to the Inaugural exhibit, the Visitors Center is offering unique law enforcement-related Inaugural merchandise, including a commemorative badge, lapel pin and coin, as well as hats, tee-shirts, patches and graphics.

For information, visit the NLEOMF Inauguration website, www.nleomf.org/inauguration_2009.

About the NLEOMF

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers. The NLEOMF maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 18,274 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now working to create the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibitions, historical artifacts and extensive educational programming. For information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

CONTACT: Kevin Morison, NLEOMF (202) 737-7134 or (202) 288-7029 kevin@nleomf.org

SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category