The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund selected Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security and co-founder of The Chertoff Group, as the chairman of its 2011 gala.

The gala will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and proceeds will benefit the National Law Enforcement Museum, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in late 2013. The gala will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Grand Hyatt, 1000 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

"The Memorial Fund is honored to have secretary Chertoff serve as chairman of our gala, helping to create visibility and increase awareness around our goal to build this state of the art museum," said Craig W. Floyd, the NLEOMF's chairman and chief executive. "I believe we will benefit greatly from his leadership and commitment."

"I am privileged to be part of such an important project that honors those men and women who have so honorably served and sacrificed to protect our communities and the American people," Chertoff said. "I am committed to putting this cause in the spotlight and helping make the National Law Enforcement Museum a reality."

In addition to celebrating the memorial's 20th anniversary, the gala will provide guests a first glimpse of the upcoming National Law Enforcement Museum's Hall of Remembrance. "The museum, and specifically the Hall of Remembrance, will allow us to tell the stories behind the names of the more than 19,000 officers who are forever honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, located across the street from the Museum."

Ticket and sponsorship opportunities for the gala are available at the law enforcement memorial's Web site.