National Police Week Honor Guard Assignments

Each National Police Week, the Memorial Fund relies on Honor Guards from across America to participate in the following activities. Honor Guard activities for the Memorial Fund are coordinated by a team of volunteers, led by the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC and Brian Lacey, Assistant Director of Memorial Programs for the Memorial Fund.

Questions? Contact Brian Lacey, brian@nleomf.org or (202) 737-7138 or Kaitlin Gilbride, kgilbride@nleomf.org or (202) 737-8528.

Monday, May 13, 2013

The 25th Annual Candlelight Ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Honor Guard personnel will be needed for the following:

• Twelve color guard teams to stand at the front of the Memorial for the survivor bus arrival
• Honor cordon along the Reflecting Pool for the Survivor arrival.
• Honor cordon for VIP arrival.
• Personnel to form a backdrop for the stage, during the Ceremony.
• Two-person teams to stand vigil, in ten-minute intervals with the Candle, from the time the National Colors are retired until midnight.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

From mid-day until midnight, honor guard teams will stand vigil at the center medallion of the Memorial. At midnight “Taps” will be played, as the Memorial’s flags will be lowered to half-staff.  A bugler will be needed for that purpose.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Following the conclusion of the National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service on the West Front Lawn of the US Capitol Building, the National Memorial Wreath will be transported to the Memorial for a brief wreathlaying ceremony.

After the wreathlaying ceremony, two-person teams of law enforcement personnel will stand vigil with the Wreath until midnight. At midnight “Taps” will be played, as the Memorial’s flags will be raised.  A bugler will be needed for that purpose.

The Selection Process

Unfortunately, there will be more volunteers for each assignment than can be used. Priority will be given to those members of agencies that lost a member in 2012. In the case of assignments regarding the Candlelight Vigil Ceremony, priority will be given to members of agencies that are having names added to the Memorial, regardless of the year of death. Please indicate if your agency fits either of these criteria.

In the event that there are still more volunteers than are needed, selections will be made on a random basis, however, please know that every effort will be made to accommodate any and all requests. 

The Equipment

All equipment will be provided by each participating unit with the exception of the Memorial Fund flag on an as needed basis for the color teams assigned for the Candlelight Vigil.

The Deadline

All requests from law enforcement honor guard units to participate in National Police Week events that take place at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial must be received no later than March 16, 2013. 

The Notification Process

A final list of assignments, including reporting times and places, will be emailed to all participating agencies in April 2013. The schedule will also be available online at www.LawMemorial.org.

Advance Check-in

Upon arrival to Washington, DC for National Police Week 2013 there will be designated times and locations in which a representative from the department may check in early to receive the department’s assignment package. Each department should identify one lead officer to check in for the entire department. These designated times will also be used to answer any questions and to review each assignment’s duties and location. Information on the exact times and locations will be provided with the final list of assignments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Lacey at 202/737-7138 (or brian@nleomf.org).