By Sue Armagost
President, Madison Professional Police Officers Association

The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial was unveiled and formally dedicated on the Capitol grounds on Tuesday, June 30, 1998. If you were not privileged to be among the hundreds of officers representing departments from all corners of the state for the ceremony on that day, I urge you to make time to visit and pay your respects with your loved ones soon. I can assure you the trip will be worthwhile.

The Honor Roll was read during a moving ceremony on the evening before the dedication. As each name was read, a flower was placed at the Memorial in remembrance of a life given in the service of others, a life cruelly taken from fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, and other loved ones, and yet freely given by the officer sworn to protect and serve. Survivors grieving anew, officers holding the next generation in their arms, children clutching flowers tightly in small hands, names being read one after another until it seemed there would be no family left untouched, these were the moments which consecrated the ground on which the Memorial was dedicated the next day.

At high noon on June 30, dignitaries, survivors, and officers in full dress uniform crowded the Capitol grounds after squad cars, motorcycle units, bike patrol officers, and mounted police made their way through the city in a procession which stretched for miles. Governor Tommy Thompson, a staunch supporter of the Memorial from the beginning, spoke eloquently about the appropriateness of placing the Memorial here, on the grounds of the Capitol, to honor those who have given their lives defending the laws created on these grounds. The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial was unveiled and dedicated to the sounds of bagpipes and rifle fire.

The real Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial is not just a beautiful stone monument, given to the people of the state of Wisconsin, "In honor of those who have died, dedicated to those who live and serve." The real Memorial lives in the heart of every law enforcement officer who honors those who have gone before us, and in the reflection of every citizen who pauses to read a name, or leave a flower.

I urge you to come and take a moment yourself to pause and offer your respect. Bring the kids. You'll be glad you did.

TO HELP: The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial is about $100,000 short of its fundraising goal. To make a tax-deductible donation, make checks payable to WLEM and mail to Box 2733, Madison, WI 53701-2733.