Photo Essay: National Police Week 2021

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Last year I was not able to travel due to the COVID restrictions, so I was not able to go to Washington for National Police Week. This year even though the events of Police Week were moved to October, I went to DC during the week of May 15.

I was injured in the line of duty serving with the Williamson County (TN) Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee in 2006. That same year I visited “the Wall” (the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial) for the first time.

It was a powerful experience. As I looked on in awe and sorrow at the names cut into the marble, I realized that God had brought me to this place for a reason. I swore I would do all I could to honor my fallen brothers and sisters and support their families.

I have since dedicated my photography to honoring the fallen. Which is why I went to Washington, DC, this year for National Police Week, even though the events were postponed.

National Police Memorial Day is May 15 and has been since 1962, and I wanted to show the world that these brave men and women were not forgotten on the day that is dedicated to their honor and sacrifice.--Telayna Luttrell

Cpl. Veronica Bruns with the Maryland Natural Resource Police visits the Memorial just prior to midnight. She paid tributes to fallen Maryland State Police Trooper Shaft Hunter and Harford County Sheriff’s deputies Mark Logsdon and Pat Daily.

Michael McCann of the Virginia State Police stands in front of the Memorial’s emblem and plays “Amazing Grace” on his blue bag pipes.

Emblem at the middle of the Memorial. The flowers and candles were placed on May 13 for the virtual candlelight vigil. This image was captured just before midnight on May 15. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is planning live events in October.

A wilting rose, all alone, left to show honor for the fallen.

This is the East Wall lion at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial just prior to midnight. The Wall is empty of tributes compared to previous years. Usually, the Memorial is crowded with police and supporters during Police Week.

Michael McCann of the Virginia State Police plays his bag pipes as he approaches the lion at the head of the Memorial’s East Wall.

The lioness at the end of the East Wall. She stands watch over an empty Memorial during this lonely National Police Week. Normally, the Memorial would be crowded.