In May, The McDavid Group Charities honored all the 2023 fallen law enforcement officers by attending National Police Week in Washington, D.C. This event is orchestrated by organizations like Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), which plays a crucial role in bringing National Police Week together.

Our organization will continue to be avid supporters of C.O.P.S., as they are pivotal in rebuilding shattered lives within the families we support.National Police Week is a profoundly emotional time, filled with both support and encouragement.

It begins with the arrival of law enforcement survivors, greeted by Honor Guard standing at attention from agencies across the United States. As survivors exit their planes, they are escorted to the C.O.P.S. host hotel by bus, accompanied by motorcycle escorts.Following this is the arrival of Law Enforcement United (LEU) in front of the host hotel. LEU comprises law enforcement officers and survivors who ride bicycles into Washington D.C. More than 1,500 cyclists participate, honoring our fallen by riding over 250 miles into the city.

Day 2 features the Candlelight Vigil, presented by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Held on the National Mall, this vigil sees the names of all officers engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall for 2024 read aloud.

Day 3 hosts The National Police Survivors’ Conference, providing survivors with validation and tools to aid in their grief journey. It offers a platform for survivors to share their stories, interact with mental health professionals, and attend sessions aimed at providing hope. Additionally, there is a program for kids and teens, offering experiences like visits to the FBI Academy and rare areas of the Pentagon. This year, The McDavid Group Charities provided bags for the 14-18 year olds, which included our “America’s Heroes Scholarship Fund” information, a book on selecting the best college, a fidget toy, a pen, and an America’s Heroes Scholarship wristband. Day 3 concludes with the 40th Anniversary Celebration of C.O.P.S. at the Blue Light Gala. This eventful evening highlighted the story of C.O.P.S. and featured numerous honorees, speakers, and special guests.

Day 4 is marked by the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, organized by the Fraternal Order of Police. Held on the Capitol’s lawn, surviving families are given a Medal of Honor and place a carnation in a wreath to honor their fallen loved ones. This wreath is later taken to the National Law Enforcement Memorial, where Honor Guards stand watch until midnight, with guards changing every eight minutes.

Day 5 continues with the second day of The National Police Survivors’ Conference, featuring breakout sessions by mental health professionals to address survivors’ struggles. Another day of kids and teen programs follows, concluding with the Blue Family BBQ—a wonderful evening for families to gather, relax, and connect. Activities include “Critters for C.O.P.S. kids,” temporary tattoos, a photo booth, DJ music, and dancing. We were honored to have our Executive Director attend and participate in all events and activities.

We loved directly distributing our scholarship information to the teens we aim to support. Lastly, it is always a privilege to see “The McDavid Group Charities” name displayedas a supporter of C.O.P.S. around the host hotel.