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.

Volunteers Needed During Police Week

Our good friends at Concerns of Police Survivors are looking for volunteers at the survivor's hotel during Police Week. This is an excellent chance to help survivors during one of the most important weeks of the year. I've done this each year for the past 15 or so years, and I can tell you from experience it's the week I look forward to the most each year. You will not regret helping out and meeting the survivors and other officers who are volunteering!!!

Any and all help is appreciated, even if it's only for an hour or two. If you can help, please contact Cathy Hill at [email protected]

All of the help is needed at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center (the survivor's host hotel). The hotel is a 15 minute drive from downtown DC in Alexandria, Virginia. Here's a quick breakdown of what is needed when:

May 12th, 8:30 am - whenever work if finished

• Unload supplies from truck
• Prepare tote bags for survivors (to be handed out at registration)
• Display and info table setup

May 13th

• 8 am - 5 pm: Staff registration tables (provide name tags, tote bags, info, etc. to survivors)
• 5 pm - 8 pm: Assist families to Candlelight Vigil (for families that don't have escort officers)

May 14th

• 8 am - 5 pm: Staff information tables
• 8 am - 5 pm: Assist survivors to conference sessions
• Evening: Staff games and concessions at the Sawyer Circus (Suzie Sawyer's retirement part!!!)

May 15th

• Morning: Assist survivors at the host hotel

May 16th

• 8 am - 5 pm: Staff information tables
• 8 am - 5 pm: Assist survivors to conference sessions
• Afternoon: Teardown of conference space, info tables, etc.
• Afternoon: Setup for Hoedown at the Hilton (the survivor picnic that officially ends Police Week)

May 17th

• Morning: Reload the truck!!!

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

Police Week 2011 Ride - Join Today

If you're planning on attending Police Week 2011 and have an interest in cycling then you must consider riding for Law Enforcement United (LEU).

LEU is made up of over 400 law enforcement officers from across the country. These riders, and their support personnel, converge on Chesapeake, Va., to kick off their three day, 250 mile ride that ends at the Pentagon Memorial just outside of Washington, DC. Meeting them at the memorial are hundreds of survivors of fallen law enforcement officers who are in town for the essential Concerns of Police Survivors grief seminars, Candlelight Vigil, and other memorial events that occur throughout the week.

Why must you ride?

100% of the money you and other LEU riders raise is donated to Concerns of Police Survivors and the ODMP. Last year, following their inaugural ride, LEU was able to donate $100,000 to COPS and $20,000 to ODMP. These donations are critical for the ability of both organizations to provide essential services to survivors and law enforcement officers who have been affected by a line of duty death. Your daily visits to the ODMP is made possible because of LEU!

So, don't just come to Police Week. Participate in Police Week. Learn more about LEU and make that commitment to join today.