Many Join the 20th Anniversary of Wreath-laying at Judiciary Square

By Vicki Duncan

For the 20th year, the Corrections Chiefs Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) sponsored an annual observance to pay tribute to the men and women in the field of corrections who have paid the ultimate price — losing their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony was held May 7, 2011, at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., where the weather was perfect and the outdoor setting inspirational.

Mary Lou McDonough, director of the Department of Corrections in Prince George’s County, Md., and chair of the Corrections Chiefs Committee at COG, served as mistress of ceremonies for the day’s activity. She welcomed the crowd and thanked them for attending the solemn observance during Correctional Employees Week. Prince George’s County Councilmember Andrea Harrison, the current COG board chairperson, welcomed participants on behalf of COG.

Craig W. Floyd, chair of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, provided an update on the progress of the National Law Enforcement Museum slated to open late in 2013. The museum, being built across the street from the memorial, is expected to give a boost to the corrections profession by providing educational and historical exhibits to foster a better understanding of corrections work.

Floyd said he attended a ceremony held that week in honor of William G. Truesdale, an Alexandria, Va., deputy sheriff killed by an inmate 30 years ago. At that event, the Alexandria Detention Center was renamed the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center. The naming of the building and dedication of a monument inside paid for by 88 individuals and organizations made a wonderful salute to this fallen corrections hero, Floyd said. But the greatest tribute was the swearing-in of Truesdale’s son, Kevin, as a new Alexandria deputy sheriff. Kevin was only six months old when his father was killed.

Paul Quander, deputy mayor for public safety for the District of Columbia, talked about the critical importance of correctional officers communicating and working together with the courts and law enforcement every day. “Correctional officers go beyond the normal call of duty all the time,” he said. “We forget these professionals deal every day with the worst.”

Officers from correctional jurisdictions in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia were joined by officers who traveled greater distances to place a single long-stemmed rose to commemorate each fallen officer as Floyd recited the roll call of officers nationwide who lost their lives in 2010 and local officers who had lost their lives since the 1950s. The recitation was coordinated with bell ringing and the release of live doves.

Bugler Capt. Thomas Shaw of the Loudoun County, Va., Sheriff’s Office, played “Taps,” and bagpipe units from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia performed “Amazing Grace.” Cpl. Bryan Randall of the Prince George’s County DOC and a member of its honor guard, sang the national anthem, while James Penn, Good News Jail and Prison Ministry senior chaplain at the Prince George’s County Correctional Center, delivered an inspirational message. Following the wreath-laying event, an honor guard competition was held featuring local jurisdictional teams. First place honors went to the Fairfax County, Va., team.  

Vicki Duncan is community projects coordinator for the Prince George’s County (Md.) Department of Corrections. Photos by Vicki Duncan.

Paul Quander, deputy mayor for public safety in the District of Columbia, speaks at the event.

The contingent of bagpipers from Montgomery County, Md., perform.

Correctional officers from various jurisdictions present the flags.

The wreath is guarded by the (from left) Arlington County, Va., District of Columbia and Montgomery County, Md., honor guards.

A representative from the Fairfax County, Va., Honor Guard accepts the first-place plaque from Mary Lou McDonough, director of the Prince George’s County, Md., Department of Corrections and chair of the Council of State Governments Correctional Chiefs Committee.

Capt. Thomas Shaw of the Loudoun County (Va.) Sheriff’s Office plays the bugle for the crowd.

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