In honor of those who served

They held the line. We hold their memory.

The Blue Line Project honors law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty, and stands beside the families, partners and communities who carry their story forward.

Give in their honor → Our mission
23,000+
Names engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
May 15
Peace Officers Memorial Day, when flags across the nation fly at half-staff.
1962
The year National Police Week was first proclaimed by President Kennedy.
1
Thin blue line between order and chaos, held by every officer who answers the call.
A police officer stands in the dark during a candlelight vigil as a beam of blue light rises over the crowd
END OF WATCHNever forgotten
Our purpose

Every badge carries a name. Every name carries a family.

When an officer is killed in the line of duty, a community loses a protector and a family loses a parent, a spouse, a child. The headlines fade within days. The empty chair at the dinner table does not.

The Blue Line Project exists so the fallen are remembered by name, and so the people they left behind never stand alone. We fund memorial events, support surviving families, and teach the public what this sacrifice truly costs.

“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.” VIVIAN ENEY CROSS, INSCRIBED AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Read our story →
What we do

Three promises we make to every fallen officer.

Remember

We host candlelight vigils, roll calls and memorial ceremonies so each officer’s name is spoken aloud, year after year.

How we honor →

Support

We stand with surviving spouses, children and parents through grief support, travel to memorial events and help with everyday needs.

Support a family →

Educate

We bring the stories of the fallen into classrooms and communities, so the next generation understands the price of public safety.

Bring us to your school →
Moments of remembrance

A nation that lights a candle for each of them.

Each May, thousands gather in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week to read the names of the fallen by candlelight.

Thousands holding candles at the national memorial at night
Candlelight vigil, Washington, D.C.
A single hand holding a lit candle in the dark
One light, one name
Rows of uniformed officers holding candles
Brothers and sisters in blue
Honor guard officers in dress uniform with white gloves
Honor guard
A line of police motorcycles parked for a memorial escort
The memorial escort
Polished black dress boots of an officer in ceremonial uniform
Standing at attention
The final call

When an officer falls, dispatch calls their number one last time.

All channels

DISPATCHAll units, stand by for a final radio call.

DISPATCHUnit 2-1-4… Unit 2-1-4…

DISPATCHNo response.

DISPATCHUnit 2-1-4 is 10-7, end of watch. You served with honor. We have the watch from here.

Rest easy. We’ll take it from here.

A last call is a long-standing tradition at police funerals across the country. The unit number shown here is illustrative.

A moment of silence

Light a candle for the officers who didn’t come home.

Inscribed at the national memorial
“In valor there is hope.”
TACITUS
Stand with their families

Their watch has ended. Ours has just begun.

Your gift funds vigils, survivor support and education programs that keep the memory of fallen officers alive.

Donate now → Contact us