Help Us Finish the DC Police Museum

The Washington, DC MPD Museum will honor the service of officers throughout the history of the department and nation’s capital and preserve policing artifacts. We’ve made great progress on the museum and are doing a final fundraising push to get it across the finish line.

Can you help?

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All Gave Some. Some Gave All.

On May 1, 2023, the DC Police Memorial achieved its 11+ year goal to renovate the existing Memorial Fountain, built in 1942 and build a Memorial Wall with the names of all the MPD officers who have died in the line of duty. The memorial is located in front of the Daly building, the historic headquarters of the MPD, at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW.

125 officers have died in the line of duty in Washington, DC since Abraham Lincoln established the MPD in 1861.

Project Background

MPD Officer Terry Bennett, killed in the line of duty

DC Police Memorial Mourns the Loss of MPD Officer Terry Bennett

The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Police Memorial and Museum Inc., wishes to extend our condolences to the family of Officer Terry Bennett and to our MPD family, as we learn about his unfortunate death in the line of duty. On Tuesday,...

Holiday Tree Lighting - tree lit with blue lights and officers standing in front

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the DC Police Memorial

It is especially important during the holidays that we remember all the families whose officers will not be coming home this holiday. Their sacrifice should never be forgotten.

127 Officers in the Line of Duty

During its history, the Washington, DC MPD has lost 127 police officers while serving in the line of duty. To appropriately honor these fallen colleagues, the DC Police Memorial and Museum Board invites you to join us in maintaining our newly-renovatied Memorial Fountain and new Memorial Wall.

Donate To The Memorial

DC Metropolitan Police Museum

President Abraham Lincoln founded the DC MPD in 1861, a time of constant danger in the Nation’s Capital. Lincoln authorized a police force of 10 sergeants and up to 150 patrolmen. Since then, the police department has had a rich, interesting and unique history and we intend to create a museum to promote and preserve this history.

About Our History

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The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Memorial and Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization intended to honor the fallen heroes of the Metropolitan Police Department. We are raising funds for this important work and invite you to join us so these officers and their families are not forgotten. Keep up with news, events and more by following us on Facebook and staying updated.

Fallen Heroes

MPD Officer Terry Bennett

End of Watch: January 7, 2026
Age: 32

From the beginning of his career, Officer Bennett demonstrated a constant commitment to building trust and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the DC community. Officer Bennett devoted over a decade to mentoring young people as a coach at Ballou Senior High School and was recognized by his peers and the community for his positive impact on countless students.

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Investigator Wayne David

End of Watch: August 24, 2024
Age: 51

Investigator Wayne, as he was known, was a 25 year veteran of the MPD. “He defined all that was good for his family, for his friends, for his colleagues and for our community,” Police Chief Pamela Smith said.

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Officer Paul Dittamo

End of Watch: October 30, 2010
Age: 32

Officer Dittamo had been a member of the Department since June 2009. He was assigned to the Seventh District. He is survived by his wife, Shana Dittamo, their unborn child; parents, Hector and Theresa Dittamo; and seven sisters and brothers.

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The Story of the DC Police Memorial

It took more than a decade, but Founder Don Blake and an all-volunteer board of directors celebrated the Dedication of the DC Police Memorial on May 1st, 2023.

The ceremony marked the right of a wrong and emphasized to Survivors that their loved ones are NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Help us maintain the memorial and provide for its future.

Donations in Memory or Honor

In Honor of all my brothers in blue, past and present.

Joseph LaFrance

Donation in memory of Sergeant Jin Park.

Iris Mendoza

$100 donation in memory of Retired MPD Officer Frank Sopata.

Andrew Struhar

Donation in memory of Officer Jason E. White, killed in the line of duty in December of 1993.

Dave Richardson

In memory of my Great Great Grandfather Thomas Markward MPD 1864 to 1902

Mike McClary

In Honor of officers Jeremiah McCarthy and Martin I Donovan EOX 1964

Kevin McCarthy

More Dedications

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Core Supporters

Sadly, an average of one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the U.S. every 57 hours. More than 24,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice since 1791 (source).