The USAF Police Alumni Association (PAA) was formed shortly after it was announced that the USAF Security Forces Museum located at Lackland AFB in Texas would be closed and consolidated with an existing USAF Heritage Museum at Lackland.

"Something had to be done to protect the proud history and traditions of the USAF's largest career field," commented John Shanks, a retired member of the USAF and law enforcement who is the founder and co-chairman of the USAF Police Alumni Association. Shanks went on to explain that in today's virtual and digital world you do not need a physical building to have a museum.

This month, the USAF Police Alumni Association officially launched the USAF Virtual Police Museum and Memorial. The Alumni Association will protect and preserve the proud history and heritage of the men and women who have served the United States Air Force and heroically protect our bases and resources worldwide. This museum will tell the stories and traditions of the airmen who served as Air Police, Security Police and in the Security Forces. The Memorial will forever honor the service and sacrifice of those who came before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States of America.

The Virtual Museum will include historical accounts and first-hand recollections along with photo and video archives that will preserve the history of the law enforcement and security career fields. The history of USAF Air Police, Security Police, and Security Forces spans 67 years and includes service in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Gulf War, and the War Against Terror.

The Memorial will forever honor the service and sacrifice of our fallen police airmen and will be a constant reminder that freedom is not free. The Memorial will not only honor these fallen heroes but will also be a place of remembrance and reflection. In time, each fallen Peacekeeper and Defender will have his or her story told and will become a living memorial to their service. As the Memorial grows family members and colleagues will be able to leave personal tributes for our fallen, creating a personal and everlasting living history. The USAF Police Virtual Memorial will be the place of honor and will recognize the sacrifice of the blue beret.

To learn more about the USAF Police Alumni Association and the USAF Air Police, Security Police and Security Forces career field, visit www.usafpolice.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/usafpoliceorg.

About the USAF Police Alumni Association

The USAF Police Alumni Association is a private not-for-profit 501c19 (pending) organization. The USAF Police Alumni Association is not a law enforcement agency and has no police powers. The USAF Police Alumni Association is not affiliated with, a part of, or an official representative of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other U.S. Government agency.