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Wreathlaying Ceremony Commemorates 18th Anniversary of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 October 2009, 09:15 CDT

Four officers from Maryland and Virginia and four federal agents who lost their lives in the performance of duty over the past 12 months are being recognized during October 15 ceremony in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Law enforcement leaders, survivors of officers killed in the line of duty and other supporters will mark the 18th anniversary of the dedication of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on October 15, at 11 a.m., during the annual Wreathlaying Ceremony at the Memorial in downtown Washington, DC.

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

Joseph Persichini, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, and Virginia Hill O'Branovich, whose husband, Alexandria (VA) Police Corporal Charles Hill, was shot and killed in the line of duty 20 years ago, are the featured speakers at the event. A special tribute will be paid to the four law enforcement officers from Maryland and Virginia and the four federal law enforcement agents who lost their lives in the performance of duty over the previous 12 months.

Twenty-five years ago, on October 19, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Public Law 98-534, authorizing the establishment of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on federal land in an area of the nation's capital known as Judiciary Square. Almost exactly seven years later, on October 15, 1991, the Memorial was dedicated during a ceremony led by President George H.W. Bush. At the time of its dedication, the Memorial's marble walls contained the names of 12,668 fallen law enforcement officers.

Since then, some 6,000 more names have been added to the Memorial; today it commemorates the service and sacrifice of 18,661 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first recorded officer death in 1792.

Each October, leaders and supporters of the Memorial Fund gather at the Memorial to mark the anniversary of its dedication with a special Wreathlaying Ceremony. Traditionally, officers from the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area and members of federal law enforcement who have died in the performance of duty during the previous 12 months are honored.

"Just as it did 18 years ago, this Memorial continues to send a very powerful and clear message: Americans respect our law enforcement officers, we honor their service and we will always remember their sacrifice," said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

WHAT: 18th Annual Wreathlaying Ceremony

To commemorate the October 1991 dedication of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. A special tribute is paid to officers from the DC region and federal law enforcement who have died in the performance of duty over the past 12 months. Surviving family members and co-workers of the fallen officers are invited to place roses at the Memorial's center medallion

WHEN: October 15, 2009 -- 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

400 Block of E Street, NW

Washington, DC

WHO: Joseph Persichini, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI Washington Field Office

Virginia Hill O'Branovich, whose husband, Alexandria (VA) Police Corporal Charles Hill, was killed in the line of duty in March 1989

NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd

Family members and co-workers of recently fallen officers

As part of the ceremony, special tribute will be paid to the following officers who lost their lives in the performance of duty over the past 12 moths:

• Second Lieutenant Paul M. Stecco, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department
• Special Agent Samuel S. Hicks, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Special Agent Paul M. Sorce, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Police Officer R. Mark Bremer, Frederick City (MD) Police Department
• Investigator Chadwick A. Carr, Green County (VA) Sheriff's Office
• Deputy Sheriff Christopher Ray, Southampton County (VA) Sheriff's Office
• Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, United States Border Patrol
• Border Patrol Agent Cruz McQuire, United States Customs and Border Protection
  

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Now celebrating its 25th year, 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 and to promoting officer safety. The NLEOMF maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 18,661 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 more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.

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

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Craig W. Floyd

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=38696

SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Source: PR Newswire

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