Annual Ceremony

Since forming the Memorial Association we’ve been helping the family and coworker survivors of this county’s officers tragically killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. One of the ways we support these survivors is by staging an annual memorial ceremony to commemorate their loved ones’ sacrifice. Which is held on the first Friday in May, when Montgomery County’s 33 law enforcement agencies come together to pay homage.

The event starts with a procession—featuring a combined agency Motorcycle Unit, a combined agency Color Guard, Honor Guards, a massed Pipe & Drum Corps, uniformed and retired Officers—and the family and coworker survivors.

The ceremony features observances of sacred military and law enforcement traditions, including the Presentation of the Colors, Riderless Horse, American flag folding, 21-gun Salute, and Taps.

After the Keynote Address comes the Survivor Speech, when survivors share their stories. Which is followed by the Officer Roll Call—when the fallen heroes’ names, agencies, and end of watch dates are read aloud—and their family and coworker survivors come forward to place carnations into a symbolic wreath.

During the ceremony we present the winners of that year’s college scholarships, which are a means of preserving the legacies of those fallen. And following the ceremony we host a complimentary luncheon for the survivors in attendance.