The long-awaited day arrived! Yesterday, May 1, 2023, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Memorial & Museum Board of Directors were honored to hold its Dedication Ceremony.
As the families and friends of DC’s fallen heroes looked on, the names all 125 members of the MPD who have died in the line of duty were called one by one by Commander Danny Hickson (retired). After each name, a bell was rung by board member Hector Dittamo, father of Paul Dittamo, who was killed while on duty on October 30, 2010.
DC Police Chief Robert Contee and Mayor Muriel Bowser both offered comments. “Each one of these inscribed names represents a lost officer and a story,” said Chief Contee. “Some of their lives were lost to gun violence. Others to assault or illness. Despite the cause, they will be honored by this memorial fountain and wall for years to come.”
Project Beginnings
Retired MPD lieutenant, Don Blake is the founder and chair of the DC Police Memorial. Don felt compelled to found the project after he and his wife Terry visited the Memorial in 2010 and were shocked when they saw its crumbling and dilapidated condition. Terry told him he had to do something to address the situation. (See history of the memorial.)
One of the biggest cheerleaders of Don’s efforts was Shirley Gibson, whose son Brian Gibson was ambushed and shot on February 5, 1997. Shirley had visited many cities across the U.S. and saw their fitting memorials to their fallen. She felt that Washington, DC deserved a memorial that appropriately honored it’s own men and women. (Read more about Shirley Gibson.)
Broad Support
With board members from each of the 10 core supporting police organizations, the board set its sights on 1) renovating the existing Memorial Fountain and 2) building a brand new Memorial Wall inscribed with the names of all 125 officers to date. In addition, all living former chiefs of police supported the project. Sadly, Maurice Cullinane, one of its biggest supporters would pass just weeks before the dedication.
Thirteen years would pass from the time Don began his efforts to the Dedication Ceremony. Approvals, red tape and especially fundraising were hurdles for the the $4.5 million project that did not involve paid staff or government funding.
Major Benefactor
Donald Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post and current Chair of Graham Holdings, assured Don Blake that he would personally help to cover funding shortfalls to ensure the project would be completed. In addition to the other hats he’s worn, Graham is a former MPD police officer who was assigned to the 9th Precinct.
Through Don Graham’s deep generosity, construction progressed over the past year.
Yesterday’s Dedication yesterday was a poignant reminder that no matter the politics of the day, Washington, DC is still a hometown that owes a debt of gratitude to every officer that has given their life while protecting the city.
Our fallen heroes are Gone, But Never Forgetten.
Perpetual upkeep of the Memorial will be possible via donations from the community and people like you. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
Donations will also support the DC Police Museum to preserve the many historical artifacts of policing in Washington, DC.
