The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected Target as the recipient of the Memorial Fund's Distinguished Service Award for 2010.

The award is the nonprofit organization's highest honor, given annually to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the law enforcement profession. Target is being honored for its longstanding support of American law enforcement and its cooperative, community-based efforts to prevent crime and honor fallen officers.

"Our Board of Directors selected Target as this year's award recipient not for any one thing the company has done for law enforcement, but for all of the things it does, day in and day out, to support our officers and the communities they serve," says Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the Memorial Fund. "Whether it is supporting community crime prevention efforts, providing critical forensic support to detectives or helping to build the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, Target 'walks the walk' when it comes to creating safer and stronger communities throughout the United States," Floyd adds.

"Target is honored to receive this prestigious award," says Tim Baer, Target general counsel and corporate secretary.  "We are committed to safe stores and supporting safer communities and are proud to partner with law enforcement in these efforts. We stand behind the men and women in law enforcement who deserve a tremendous debt of gratitude for their selflessness and dedication to public safety."  

Target creates innovative partnerships with law enforcement agencies across the country. Target often serves as a convener, bringing together the public and private sectors to design new public safety solutions. Their Target & Blue initiative provides law enforcement support for community crime prevention efforts, investigative tools and resources and expertise in proven business practices. Target gives law enforcement access to the company's video forensic labs, which have helped law enforcement solve violent crimes. In fact, 30 percent of the case load at the labs is unrelated to Target. 

"Target demonstrates a total commitment to honoring our fallen law enforcement officers and helping to educate the public about the law enforcement profession," Floyd says.

Target has donated $1.5 million to sponsor the forensics lab in the National Law Enforcement Museum, a hands-on exhibit that will show visitors the real story and science behind crime scene processing. Museum groundbreaking will take place October 14, with a scheduled opening in 2013. In addition, Target has supported the Memorial Fund's National Police Week activities for the last three years, honoring officers killed in the line of duty and their families.

Target is the 15th recipient of the NLEOMF's Distinguished Service Award. The award will be presented during the annual Chairman's Dinner on May 12 as part of National Police Week. Previous awardees are:

• Vice President Joe Biden (2009)

• House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (2008)

• Cynthia Brown, publisher of "American Police Beat" (2007)

• President Bill Clinton (2006)

• Motorola (2005)

• U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (2004)

• Police Unity Tour (2003)

• President George H.W. Bush (2002)

• United States Mint Police (2001)

• U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno (2000)

• John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted" (1999)

• U.S. Representative (ret.) Mario Biaggi (1998)

• The DuPont Company (1997)

• U.S. Senator (ret.) Claiborne Pell (1996)