Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation

Our Mission

Since its inception in 1987, the foundation’s uncompromising determination to preserve the rich history of Texas law enforcement and provide support for the families of peace officers has remained unparalleled. The foundation honors the fallen by providing assistance and support in a line of duty death.

POMF also offers college scholarships, sponsors the annual Texas Peace Officers Memorial Service and organizes the annual Ride for the Fallen event at the Texas Peace Officers Memorial monument on the Capitol grounds in Austin, supports research to find and honor all Texas Peace Officers throughout history who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and maintains a disaster relief team.

The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, or CLEAT, is the founding sponsor of the foundation, which is funded solely by contributions.

Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation History

The Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial is a monument erected on the grounds of the Capitol Complex to recognize and honor the ultimate sacrifice made by Texas law enforcement and corrections officers who were killed in the line of duty. Currently, there are over 2,000 names on the monument.

In 1987, the leadership of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas sought to have the memorial built. The Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded to help raise money for that purpose.

In June 1998, after convincing the legislature to authorize the Memorial and after 10 years of arduous fundraising, construction began.

Finally, on May 10, 1999, law enforcement officers and the families of officers traveled to Austin for the Memorial dedication. The Memorial is located on the northeast grounds of the Texas Capitol, easily accessible from where Congress Avenue and 15th Street intersect.

Every year, up until 2019, CLEAT/POMF organized and led a solemn observance at the Monument to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their fellow Texans during the preceding 12 months. Since 2019, the State of Texas has taken leadership of the tribute to these officers, with POMF remaining heavily involved in the planning and production of this Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony & Vigil.

POMF also organizes and leads the annual Ride for the Fallen event, in which law enforcement motorcycle clubs from around the nation, clubs in support of law enforcement, and individual supporters all gather together for a ride up to the Texas Peace Officers Memorial wall, where a ceremony and tribute is conducted.

Both events—the Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony & Vigil and the Ride for the Fallen—take place in the Spring, around late April or early May each year.

The Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation honors the fallen by providing assistance and support in a line of duty death. The foundation also offers college scholarships, sponsors the annual Memorial Service at the State Capitol, maintains a disaster relief team, and supports research to find and honor all Texas Peace Officers throughout history who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The foundation is also the second-largest contributor behind the State to the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument.

Frequently Asked Questions