The first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum dedicated to telling the story of law enforcement in the United States is one step closer to reality, thanks to a generous donation from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Jacksonville Lodge 5-30.

Under the leadership of Jacksonville Lodge President Nelson Cuba, the Jacksonville FOP Lodge 5-30 has pledged $100,000 for the National Law Enforcement Museum, scheduled to open in Washington, DC, in 2013.

"After hearing about the National Law Enforcement Museum, I knew that the Jacksonville FOP had to get involved," said Cuba. "The National Law Enforcement Museum will 'tell the stories behind the badges' of the men and women who serve and protect our communities, as well as honor those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice," he added.

"When the law enforcement community in Florida learned we were building a world-class museum that would tell their profession's remarkable story of service and sacrifice, the members of the Jacksonville FOP stepped up to the plate" said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, which is spearheading the Museum project. "The Jacksonville FOP was a major part of helping the Florida State FOP's grassroots campaign which raised $100,000 in 2008 under the guidance of Florida State Lodge President James Preston," Mr. Floyd added.

Authorized by Congress, the planned National Law Enforcement Museum is a 55,000 square foot, mostly underground museum to be located adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in downtown Washington, DC. The Memorial contains the names of 18,661 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, including 719 officers from the state of Florida.

The Museum will serve as a natural complement to the Memorial, helping citizens better understand and appreciate the vital role that law enforcement officers play in enforcing the law and keeping communities safe from crime and terror. The Museum will tell the story of law enforcement in America through high-tech, interactive exhibits, including a use-of-force judgment simulator; historical and contemporary artifacts and oral histories; and extensive research and educational programming for young people and adults.

The privately funded Museum has launched an $80 million capital campaign, with close to $40 million raised to date, with strong support from the law enforcement community. The Jacksonville FOP is one of more than three dozen law enforcement organizations nationally that have donated $100,000 or more to the Museum.

For more information about the National Law Enforcement Museum, visit www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org.