National Police Week 2018

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that day falls as National Police Week.  Since 1982, a memorial service has been held in Washington D.C. during Police Week to honor fallen law enforcement officers.  When it began, it was a small gathering of about 120 people, but in the decades since has grown exponentially; now between 20-40,000 law enforcement officers and supporters gather in the nation's capital for this event each year.

For the last 12 years, the Officer Down Memorial Page has hosted the National Police Week 5K on the first Saturday of Police Week.  This year's event, which includes over 2700 runners and walkers in D.C. and virtual runners around the world, will take place on May 12th.

Other important Police Week events include the Memorial Service hosted by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Candlelight Vigil hosted by NLEOMF, the Road to Hope bike ride hosted by Law Enforcement United, and the National Survivors Conference and associated seminars and events hosted by Concerns of Police Survivors throughout the week.

More Police Week events can be found here.

Our primary mission at ODMP is to honor the lives of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and Police Week is an annual event that reminds us why this mission is so vital.  It is a privilege to work each day to honor the memories of the fallen. 

We hope you'll take a moment during Police Week, wherever you are, to remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Band of Blue: ODMP hosts the National Police Week 5K

The National Police Week 5K is proudly hosted by the Officer Down Memorial Page

Each year, The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) proudly hosts the National Police Week 5K (NPW5K) in Washington D.C. to kick off National Police Week.

As the 2015 NPW5K approaches, we at ODMP would like to recognize those who support the law enforcement community: the individuals across the country and around the world who acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice of the men and women behind the badge. 

These people make up what we like to call the Band of Blue. 

While the “Thin Blue Line” has long been the symbol that represents law enforcement officers (LEOs) who bravely work to protect and serve the public, those of us who have taken that oath to protect and serve understand that the blue line is made up not only of police officers, but of our family, friends, and community supporters as well.
 

This May, many members of the Band of Blue will come together to run in the National Police Week 5K. 

Together, we will remember those law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.  Together, we will support the organizations that pay tribute to those heroes and provide support to their survivors. 

Together, we will make a difference.

We hope you will join us.

Thank you for supporting our LEOs. Thank you for being part of the Band of Blue.

Georgia Teen Runs To Support Law Enforcement

MacKenna Gosart, a 13 year old runner from Georgia, is proving that age is not a factor when it comes to supporting the law enforcement community.

Gosart, who runs cross-country for her school, spent the month of January 2015 running one mile for each law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty in 2014 -- a total of 118 miles for the 118 officers whose watch ended last year.  She was inspired by her father, who works in law enforcement in Clayton County (GA), when she heard him discussing the line of duty deaths with a friend.

When family and friends learned about MacKenna's tribute, they wanted to help too.  Pledges and donations came in from all over, and by the end of the month, MacKenna had raised $11,000.  She donated that money to ODMP partner Armor of God, a non-profit organization that provides ballistic vests to law enforcement officers whose departments cannot issue them to every officer, and who often cannot afford the costly item on their own.

Clint Reck, the founder and director of Armor of God and a Captain with the Muscle Shoals (Alabama) Police Department said he was amazed and speechless when he got the call from MacKenna's father.

"I truly believe there are two things that will never change in Law Enforcement. The first is our mission to protect and serve our communities and fellow citizens -- a mission that has grown more dangerous each and every day," says Reck.  "The second is our commitment to working as a team to accomplish that mission. It is amazing for a teenager to be so focused on helping law enforcement officers across the country stay safe."

With the money from MacKenna, Reck says that Armor of God has already been able to send over 100 vests out to officers in need -- an average of 20 vests each week. The funds also helped cover the cost of shipping a large number of vests donated by the High Point (North Carolina) Police Department.   In addition, MacKenna's donation enabled Armor of God to incorporate and file for their 501(c)3, making their status as a non-profit official.  They've also started work on the creation of a new website that will streamline the process through which officers request and donate vests. 

And now, the Officer Down Memorial Page is proud to count MacKenna Gosart as a member of the National Police Week 5K  Virtual Team.  The NPW5K, hosted by ODMP, takes place in Washington DC during National Police Week in May each year. 

Since MacKenna will still be in the middle of her cross-country season, she can't make it to DC.  Instead, she'll be running a virtual 5K in Georgia, and helping, once again, to raise funds to support law enforcement.

MacKenna ran her first 5K with her dad when she was about seven years old.   "It wasn't a great showing, but it was a start to a great running journey," she says.  "When I run, I can escape from any stress or pressure that is bothering me, and it just makes me feel good. The race bling is an added bonus!"

And just how much does she run?  MacKenna says, "I run about 25-30 miles a week if I'm in training, but no less than 3 miles, 6 days a week during the off season. I'm not sure exactly how many races I've run, but if I had to guess, I'd say I've run about thirty 5Ks since I was seven.  I also run 10K and 15K races, and I'm going to run a 10-Miler and 1/2 Marathon this fall."

When asked what made her want to use her talent to support law enforcement, MacKenna said, "There are so many people in this world that don't realize what our men and women in blue do for us every day. They work long hours, for little pay, and it's a dangerous job. My dad has been in law enforcement for 6 years and I've seen the effects of this daily task. These courageous officers deserve so much more respect than what they get.  I just thought I could help."

ODMP is proud to have MacKenna on our Virtual 5K team. 

If you'd like to donate to MacKenna's fundraising page, click here.

Join Us at the National Police Week 5K on May 14

On Saturday, May 14th, 2011, - right in the middle of Police Week - the fifth annual National Police Week 5K will be held in Washington, DC.

The event raises awareness and funds for the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). Like the previous runs, this year's event will be a sellout with over 2,200 runners and walkers expected to participate.

The 2011 NPW5K adds a new element not seen in previous years. This year, we're asking all participants to obtain pledges and donations from friends, family and fellow officers. Raising money is required to run, but we're asking you to support the cause! If each runner were to raise $50 from their friends and family the 5K organizers would be able to donate over $100,000 MORE to ODMP and C.O.P.S.

So, if you're already planning your trip to DC for Police Week, come and join the ODMP's Founder and Executive Director, Chris Cosgriff, at the 2011 National Police Week 5K.

Register early (before March 1st) and receive a $5 discount from the registration fee!

Event: National Police Week 5K
Date: Saturday, May 14th, 2011 (9:00 am)
Location: Washington, DC

Register Now