Alexandria — Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook was joined by Mayor Bill Euille Jan. 24 as the Alexandria Police Foundation was presented a check for $15,000 on behalf of the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety and Security Institute to benefit the police foundation's memorial fund.
“We are thrilled to be proceeding with the police memorial,” said Willem Polak, founder of the Potomac Riverboat Company and chairman of the APF board. “Motorola's donation is a great lead for all of us to follow.”
Motorola's public safety grants aim to support safety education and training programs for first responders, their families and the general public. Through the APF grant, the police foundation will continue to move forward on a memorial to be built at police headquarters on Wheeler Avenue.
“We are proud to support the city and the memorial fund for its police officers,” said Motorola Solutions Foundation senior account manager Mark Waters, who presented the check to Euille, Polak and several APF board members. “It truly is an honor for us to do this.”
Designed by artist Joe Nicholson, the memorial is titled “Roll Call” and will be integrated into the open space pedestrian plaza of APD headquarters. Its purpose is to recognize the service of Alexandria Police Officers to their community with a focus on the honor, integrity and sacrifice of Alexandria's fallen officers, past and future.
Originally founded to provide medical insurance for retired K-9 police dogs, the foundation's mission has expanded to assist Alexandria police officers by providing resources that improve officer performance, morale and effectiveness in their efforts to safeguard the community.
A nonprofit charitable organization, the APF works with the Alexandria Police Department to provide resources to support such police initiatives as scholarship grants to police officers and research and study efforts designed to improve law enforcement services.
For more information, visit www.alexandriapolicefoundation.org.