ROSE AND SHIELD INSIDER
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2025 REFLECTION
Where Every Name is a Life, Every Candle a Promise
Every May, thousands gather in Washington, DC, for National Police Week—a time to remember, reflect, and stand together. From the first roll call to the final bagpipe, the Memorial becomes a place where love, loss, and gratitude live on—and where every life is honored.
The 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil brought together officers, families, and supporters from across the country and around the world. As the names of 345 fallen officers were read aloud, colleagues and loved ones paid tribute in their own quiet ways—some stood in recognition, others bowed their heads—each gesture a powerful act of remembrance. These names now join the heroes already engraved on the Memorial, each one a tribute to a life of love, courage, and service. They were more than their profession; they
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
p2: A Special Message from our CEO
p2: Your Impact in Action: Museum, Memorial, Officer Safety & Wellness
p3: 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
p3: A Life of Compassion and Courage
p4: How to Stay Connected
p5: Why Your Gift Matters
p6: Ways to Give
impact lives on in those who knew and loved them.
Throughout National Police Week, the Memorial transformed into a living testament of remembrance. The grounds were filled with flags, handwritten notes, and personal mementos. Some were left by grieving families and fellow officers who traveled 300 miles by bicycle as part of the Police Unity Tour. Others came from families who have carried the weight of loss for generations, ensuring that even officers who fell a century ago are not forgotten.
Inside the Museum, the Hall of Remembrance provided a more intimate space to honor these stories. Portraits and tributes lined the walls, inviting visitors to connect with each officer’s legacy. Officers as Artists, a feature exhibit, showcased how officers utilize art to cope with the stresses of their profession.
For those who attended, National Police Week was a chance to reflect on the ultimate price officers pay for our safety and to reaffirm our shared commitment to honor and remember the fallen. Every candle lit, every name spoken, and every story shared ensured no fallen hero was forgotten and no grieving family stood alone—reaffirming our promise to never let these heroes, or their stories, fade from memory.
were parents, mentors, friends—and their
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Dear Friends,
As someone who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices made by those who wear the badge. At the Memorial Fund, our mission is not only to honor those sacrifices—but also to do everything in our power to keep today’s officers safe.
Through our Officer Safety & Wellness programs, we’re investing in initiatives that support both physical safety and mental well-being. From proven mental health resources to resilience-building programs, we’re committed to giving officers the tools and support they need to thrive, even in the face of incredible challenges.
Your support makes our work possible. Together, we’re not only preserving the memory of those we’ve lost—we’re protecting the lives of those still serving.
I’m grateful to have you by our side, every step of the way.
Together in service,
Bill Alexander Chief Executive Officer
YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION
What’s New at the Museum
Through our Mornings at the Museum initiative, we’re opening access for Title I school students in DC to visit the Museum, meet officers, and see law enforcement through fresh eyes. Your support also fuels our expanded online programs, bringing these powerful stories of service and sacrifice to classrooms nationwide.
Honoring the Fallen: Memorial Updates
For the first time in three years, the Memorial fountain lights were shining again—just in time for National Police Week. Their warm glow offered a powerful reminder of the 24,412 officers whose names are engraved in stone. If you’re taking a trip to Washington DC, we invite you to visit and stand with us in honoring their legacy.
New Initiatives in Officer Safety & Wellness
We’ve launched a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Below 100 to combat the rise in traffic-related injuries and deaths. This lifesaving initiative empowers officers with cutting-edge training—focused on seatbelt and vest use, slowing speeds, and staying alert—so they return home safe every day.
2025 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Chief J. Thomas Manger
During National Police Week, we had the privilege of honoring Chief J. Thomas Manger (ret.) with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his unwavering dedication to law enforcement over nearly five decades. Chief Manger began his career in 1977 as a Fairfax (VA) County Police Officer, went on to serve as Chief of Police in Fairfax (VA) County and Montgomery (MD) County, and retired while serving as Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police at the end of May.
Chief Manger’s career has been defined by a commitment to officer safety, community engagement, and excellence in leadership. His efforts have earned him national recognition, including the Silver Medal of Valor, awards from organizations like the AntiDefamation League, and the FBI National Executive Institute.
Beyond the accolades, Chief Manger’s journey embodies the heart of American law enforcement—courage, integrity, and a steadfast devotion to those who serve and protect. His example continues to inspire officers across the country, ensuring a legacy of safety, service, and trust.
A LIFE OF COMPASSION AND COURAGE
REMEMBERING SERGEANT
JOSEPH ANTHONY AZCONA
End of Watch: March 8, 2025
Years in Service: 5
Sergeant Joseph Azcona was just 26 years old, but in his five years with the Newark (NJ) Police Division, he had already proven himself as someone his community could count on. Known to his family and friends as a devoted son and brother, Joseph was one of six children who brought pride to his parents and joy to his five siblings. On March 7, 2025, while investigating illegal weapons possession, Sergeant Azcona was fatally shot in the line of duty. His father, Jose, described the loss as “a pain that is indescribable,” reflecting the deep love of a family who knew Joseph not just as the brave officer who gave his life protecting others, but as the son and brother who meant everything to them. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant—a final recognition of his dedication to service and sacrifice.
EYES TO THE SKY
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED
Become an NLEOMF Ambassador
Are you an active, former, or retired law enforcement officer? Join the NLEOMF Ambassador Program! As an Ambassador, you’ll serve as a local NLEOMF liaison to law enforcement agencies by providing training and technical assistance to officers and attend events as a representative of the organization. To learn more and get involved, visit NLEOMF.org/Ambassadors.
Bring the Museum Home
Can’t make it to the Museum in person? Dive into the rich history of law enforcement, aviation, and airborne public safety from anywhere ! Our Eyes to the Sky online exhibit takes you through the groundbreaking use of helicopters and aircraft in law enforcement—exploring th e departments, equipment, and stories that have shaped these essential tools. Enjoy this virtual experience at NLEOMF.org/Eyestothesky.
Listen to Precinct 444 Podcast
Each episode dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement, from wellness and trauma to the latest in officer safety and beyond. Tune in to learn how dedicated professionals are serving and evolving to protect their communities. Explore the series a t NLEOMF.org/Museum/Precinct-444.
Stand With us at These Events
From baseball to NASCAR, our law enforcement appreciation events celebrate the heroes who serve our communities every day. Join us for unforgettable moments and show your support. See upcoming events NLEOMF.org/Events.
Visitors at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during National Police Week pause to view tributes left in honor of fallen officers.
A visitor explores the Time Capsule at the National Law Enforcement Museum, connecting with personal artifacts that tell the story of service and sacrifice.
WHY YOUR GIFT MATTERS
Give to Honor, Give to Remember
TO INCREASE YOUR IMPACT WITH A GIFT TODAY, PLEASE SCAN THE
NLEOMF.org/Insider
Your generosity honors the fallen while creating ripples of change that touch every corner of law enforcement. When you give, you’re investing in a future where:
Memorial: Every Fallen Officer is Remembered With Dignity and Honor
Your gift helps preserve the sacred legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. At the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, each name engraved is a promise never to forget. With your support, we hold remembrance ceremonies, maintain the Memorial’s grounds, and ensure future generations understand the cost of service and the value of courage.
Museum: The Story of Law Enforcement is Told With Honesty, Depth, and Respect
The National Law Enforcement Museum brings the profession’s complex history to life through compelling exhibits and educational programs. Your generosity helps share the real stories behind the badge, fosters understanding between officers and the communities they serve, and ensures that the evolving role of law enforcement is both preserved and explored.
Officer Safety & Wellness: Stronger Officers, Safer Communities
Your support funds critical lifesaving initiatives that bring more officers home safely each night. From suicide prevention and wellness trainings to cutting-edge research and safety programs, your gift helps reduce line-of-duty deaths and strengthens the physical and mental well-being of officers across the country. When officers are physically and mentally equipped to handle challenges, they can focus on what matters most—protecting and serving their communities.
A New Circle of Dedicated Partners
For those who believe in taking a stand that truly makes a difference, our new Thin Blue Line Society at $1,000 annually puts you at the forefront of protecting those w ho protect us. This isn’t just a donation— it’s your personal commitment to ensuring officers come home safely and fallen heroes are never forgotten. We invite you to donate at the level that speaks to you:
NLEOMF DONOR OPPORTUNITIES
To increase your impact with a gift today, please scan the QR code or visit nleomf.org/Insider.
WAYS TO GIVE
GIVE NOW
Online, Phone, or Mail
Make a secure one-time gift, set up recurring donations through your preferred method, or consider a gift through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).
Gifts of Stock
Give more while keeping more—donate appreciated stocks for greater tax savings and impact.
Donate Your Vehicle
Turn your unwanted car, truck, or motorcycle into vital support for NLEOMF.
GIVE REGULARLY
Monthly Giving
Join our donor community with automated monthly gifts that provide steady support year-round.
Workplace Giving
Make giving easy through payroll deduction, the Combined Federal Campaign (NLEOMF #11631) or see if your employer matches charitable contributions.
GIVE LATER
Planned Giving
Include the Memorial Fund in your estate plan and create a lasting legacy for law enforcement.
TO INCREASE YOUR IMPACT WITH A GIFT TODAY, PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT NLEOMF.org/Insider
STAY IN TOUCH WITH NLEOMF
