Leaving on a Jet Plane....In Memory of....

Well it's that time of the year. May 9-16 is Police week. A time we remember that fallen officers and their families. So much the Police do for us. Some behind the scenes and then there is the ones that are in danger every time they walk out that home door. President John F Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation in 1962 that set aside May 15 as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day.

My grandfather was murdered in the line of duty on May 16th 1961. The man who killed him was electrocuted at that time. I remember my Grandfather dearly, however he was taken away when I was 7 years old. That one event affected all our lives, my grandmother, my Mother and Uncle, Grandpa Police Partner Enos, My brothers both living at that time and the unborn one. the great grandchildren, and not to leave out all the people of Norfolk.

On his funeral day the streets were lined with people. So many that there was not enough room for them at the church or burial sight. You see it affected the whole town. Even today the death of an office affects Multitude of folks.

In 1984 "Concerns for Police Officers Survivors" Known as C.O.P.S was formed. Every year since then on this week they come together to support and give honor to the Fallen and their families and friends. Their mission statement is:

"Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors."

My dear Mother was part of that organization. She was so in-tuned with the Families of the fallen. Upon her death she received the highest honors from the police force. You see in her time of lost there was no support and she knew how important it was and is today.

The National Law Enforcement Police Memorial Fund, Known as the NLEOMF helps to pay for the memorial services in DC as well as other programs. They have a museum in DC and is planning to break ground for a new Museum building in October this year.
The Mission of the Museum is:

The Museum

"The mission of the National Law Enforcement Museum is to tell the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education. The Museum dynamically engages the broadest possible audience in this story in an effort to build mutual respect and foster cooperation between the public and the law enforcement profession. By doing so, the Museum contributes to a safer society and serves to uphold the democratic ideals of the U.S. Constitution."

A.P.H.F. is the first museum I remember as a child.

"The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1960. It is the nation's first national police museum and memorial dedicated to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty."
My grandfathers name was put on their walls and in the late 60's my parents took us there to see it.
Each year they have a memorial service for all the fallen officers since the 1900's and some go back even further.
After the Death of my Mother the decision was made to go every year to this memorial service. I have written about our first time last year. This year my family will be going again .
This is a great organization. They do so much for the Children and Families of the fallen. Each year my daughter receives gifts on her Birthday and Christmas from them. These gift are a reminder of what my grandfather did for this country. His Life was not just cast aside but remembered for his duty to all Americans." Lest we Forget...."

I have given all the links to each organizations so, you can visit and learn more about them.
This is my only plug to you....support these groups that help the families of our Fallen Officers. Through School/College scholarships, Summer camps for the kids and adult get away for support and fun, the gifts and all the other programs they provide thought out the year. All because their love one can no longer do these things. Yes my friends a great deal is lost for a lifetime, after the death of a Police Officer.

In Loving Memory

ROBERT COURTLAND WASH
Detective
Norfolk, Virginia, P.D.
Norfolk, VA
Date of Death: 05/16/1961
Panel 20, E -16

The Panel number is where his name is located at at the Washington DC Police Monorial Wall

The Icon photo above " We Never Walk Alone" can be purchased at NLEOMF