Thousands of visitors come to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. every year to honor those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Beyond the Memorial, the National Law Enforcement Officers Fund wanted to promote a greater understanding of the essential role of law enforcement in a democratic society and give visitors the opportunity to walk in an officer’s shoes.

Visitors will enter the museum through an airy glass pavilion at street level and make their way down to the exhibit floor. As they descend, they become immersed in the complex story of American law enforcement. A dramatic 80-foot long projection presents a poetic panorama of law enforcement past and present.

An open floor plan allows visitors to craft their own experiences. Many may begin with an emotionally charged, thought-provoking film by Donna Lawrence Productions. Others will start with the extensive artifact collection or gather insights from officers’ oral histories. Still others will enjoy solving real cases by assessing fingerprints, DNA evidence and eyewitness accounts.