Family survivors of law enforcement officers being honored at the Police Week events should make hotel reservations through Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Co-Workers who plan to take part in the Survivors Conference can register through C.O.P.S. as well. This information will be available at www.nationalcops.org.

If you are attending the Fraternal Order of Police National Peace Officers Memorial Service as a Survivor, we suggest the following:
 

• Please be sure to eat a good breakfast on the morning of the National Peace Officers Memorial Service.

• Remember to bring your C.O.P.S. credentials.

• Be prepared to go through the magnetometers at the hotel before you load the bus.

• Bring minimal personal belongings; you cannot leave anything on the bus.

• Cameras, camcorders, etc., are okay; be prepared to have them searched.

• If taking medication, remember to bring it with you.

• You may want to bring snacks; water will be supplied at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. 

• Weather varies this time of year; be prepared by bringing an umbrella and sunscreen.

• The United States Capitol grounds may be soft or soggy; high heels are not recommended. Comfortable clothes and shoes are the best choice.

• Law Enforcement Officers who are in uniform and wearing a weapon MUST have a current department-issued photo identification along with a government ID.

• If you are a retired Law Enforcement Officer, you are NOT allowed to carry your weapon on United States Capitol and will be turned away if you attempt to enter with it.

​

Here is what to expect for the Fraternal Order of Police National Peace Officers Memorial Service:
 

• On the morning of May 15, Participating Family Members will receive a bagged continental breakfast.

• The Participating Family will gather in the Washington Hilton Ballroom (the National Police Week host hotel). At this time, your Memorial Service nametag (that you received at registration) should be in the front of your badge holder.

• Auxiliary volunteers will assist the Participating Family in lining up numerically. This is critical for participation in the National Peace Officers Memorial Service.

• When everyone is lined up numerically, Auxiliary members will assist the Participating Family in boarding buses (in numerical order) for the ride to the West Front of the United States Capitol, the site of the National Peace Officers Memorial Service.

• Upon arriving at the United States Capitol, Auxiliary members will assist the Participating Family in disembarking the buses (again, in numerical order). There will be people available to help with such things as strollers.

• During the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, there is a Roll Call of Heroes, where the name of every Fallen Officer to be honored is read. Just before the Roll Call of Heroes begins, the Participating Family, and their Escort Officer, are led from their seat to the rear of the seating area, for lineup, and to receive their flower for placement in the Memorial Wreaths.

• When the Fallen Officer's name is called, the Escort Officer will walk the Participating Family down the center aisle to the Memorial Wreath. The Primary Survivor will place the flower inside the star formation on the Wreath, while the National Peace Officers Memorial Service Escort Officer renders a salute. A photo will be taken of the placement of the flower. The Participating Family and National Peace Officers Memorial Service Escort Officer will be directed by an Auxiliary member where the Primary Survivor will receive a Fratneral Order of Police Supreme Sacrifice Medal. The fathers of the Fallen Officers will receive a lapel pin replica of the medal.

• The National Peace Officers Memorial Service Escort Officer remains with the Family, escorting them back to their seats.

We want you to know that there will be Auxiliary and Fraternal Order of Police volunteers to guide you every step of the way! This entire procedure will be explained, in detail, to you at a Survivors' briefing in the Washington Hilton Ballroom. Please ask any questions you have at this briefing.

Participating family members are defined as the Spouse, Children, Parents and Sibling(s) of the fallen officer. Only members in this group may participate in the Memorial Service and the placement of the flower in the Memorial Wreath. However, extenuating circumstances can always be discussed.
 

• For the purpose of this memorial event, the hierarchical order of primary survivors is: Spouse, Children (depending on age), Parents, Siblings.

• If there is no Spouse, the next level of Primary Survivor is the Child. Of course a toddler or small will not be able to physically place the flower in the Memorial Wreath, so please keep this in mind.

• If are no Children, the next level of Primary Survivor is the Parent.

• If are no surviving Parents, the next level of Primary Survivor is the Sibling.

• The Primary Survivor, in most cases the Spouse, will place the flower in the Memorial Wreath at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service on May 15. However, the Primary Survivor may designate another family member to place the flower.

• The person designated to place the flower is the SOLE DECISION of the Primary Survivor.

• The Primary Survivor must notify the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary at registration, or sometime before the day of the Memorial Service if they wish to designate another family member to place the flower.

Non-participating survivors are categorized as aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, spouses of siblings, friends, co-workers, etc. This group does not participate in the placement of the flower in the Memorial Wreath. This group is transported to the National Peace Officers Memorial Service site on the morning of May 15th on an earlier bus run from the C.O.P.S. hotels (bus departure times will be provided when you arrive at your hotel). This group is seated immediately behind the Participating Family and from their seats are able to see the Family participate in the Memorial Service.