"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."
Abraham Lincoln
In 1976, Ptl. Alan Vargo, of the Arlington Heights (IL) Police Department, was killed in the line of duty. His death was believed to be the first in that department's history. It was later learned that the department had had two others killed, of which the department had no knowledge or records.
Subsequent research disclosed that not only did many departments lack detailed and documented records of their officers' deaths, but that no official records existed for those departments and/or towns which no longer were in existance.
In 1980 this research project began in earnest. It has three goals: (1) Compile a detailed, accurate, and documented list of officers who died in the line of duty; (2) publish a memorial book; (3) establish a national museum and library. The project was initiated by then Sergeant Ron Van Raalte, (now retired), of the Arlington Heights (IL) Police Department. The research has included letters to every existing department in the country, correspondence with numerous libraries and historical societies, newspapers, and physical searches of newspapers and their indices. Various police associations and local FOP lodges have assisted.
The non-funded project has now spent close to $50,000.00, and encompassed thousands of manhours. An estimated 16,000 deaths will be documented, dating back to 1717, in more than 4000 law enforcement agencies.
Shall Their Sacrifices Be Forgotten, Their Graves Watered Only By the Tears of a Spouse, a Child, a Mother?
Author unknown
| LEMA Home Page | Law Enforcement Memorial Reserch Project | LEMA Mission Statement | News Highlights |
|---|
| LEMA in the news | ||
|---|---|---|
| Article #1 | Article #2 | Article #3 |