PSC Honors Fallen Officers at National Memorial

Public Safety Cadets members conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, on Sunday, 10 May 2026. It was a beautiful day framed by blue skies and bright sunshine, and it also happened to be Mother’s Day.

Also present at the memorial, in uniform, were Public Safety Cadets from Prince George’s County (MD) Police Department and Fairfax County (VA) Police Department. They were accompanied by Mentors and other officers from their respective sponsoring agencies.

In what has become an annual tradition during National Police Week, a wreath was placed in front of a memorial panel containing the name of a former Cadet, Mentor, or officer from an agency sponsoring a Public Safety Cadets Unit who was killed in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer.

This year’s ceremony was especially significant because two Public Safety Cadets wreaths were placed at the memorial—one in front of the panel bearing Officer Cameron Robert Girven’s name and another in front of the same panel bearing Officer Christopher M.L. Reese’s name. Officers Girven and Reese were members of the Virginia Beach (VA) Police Department and were tragically killed following a traffic stop on 25 February 2025, when both officers were shot by the vehicle’s driver. The Virginia Beach Police Department sponsors Public Safety Cadets Unit #531.

Law enforcement officers and visitors at the memorial stood in respectful silence as Public Safety Cadets formed Honor Lines and stood at attention along each side of the memorial’s central plaza, adjacent to the two wreaths positioned in the center. Two Honor Guards assembled in front of the memorial’s reflecting pool.

Cadet Captain Caitlin Brickley from PSC Unit 2252, sponsored by the Fairfax County Police Department, served as Master of Ceremonies. She opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks and introduced the individuals seated on each side of the podium. Following her remarks, Cadet Corporal Carmelo Freeman from PSC Unit 5555, sponsored by the Prince George’s County Police Department, delivered a poignant invocation.

Captain Brickley then introduced Deputy Chief Wilson Lee of the Fairfax County Police Department, who serves as Chair of the Public Safety Cadets Law Enforcement Sector National Committee. Deputy Chief Lee delivered inspirational remarks about the dedication to duty that led to the ultimate sacrifice made by Officers Girven and Reese, as well as all officers whose names are etched on the memorial walls. He reminded Cadets, Mentors, and visitors alike that ceremonies such as this are more than tradition; they are reminders of duty, integrity, sacrifice, and service above self.

Retired Deputy Chief and President of the PSC Board of Directors, David Constantineau, also delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of honoring and remembering fallen officers, their families, and their loved ones. Following President Constantineau’s remarks, Captain

Brickley introduced Cadet Major Briseyda Ramirez from PSC Unit 222, sponsored by the Prince George’s County Police Department, who presented a moving tribute to Officers Girven and Reese.

Captain Brickley then directed the two Honor Guards to approach their respective wreaths as bagpipers and a drummer from the Fairfax County Police Department provided ceremonial music. The Honor Lines were then directed to march to the memorial panel bearing the names of Officers Girven and Reese and form ranks along each side of the panel.

Once the Honor Lines were in position, the two Honor Guards, each carrying a wreath, solemnly marched in formation to the panel while the bagpipers and drummer played. Upon arrival, the wreaths were slowly and respectfully placed before the memorial wall.

Captain Brickley then directed all participants to come to attention and render a hand salute in tribute to Officers Girven and Reese while the bagpipers and drummer performed a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. Following the tribute, the Honor Guards, followed by the Honor Lines, marched to the end of the reflecting pool.

Captain Brickley closed the ceremony by thanking all participants and attendees. She then invited Cadets and Mentors to gather for photographs in front of the reflecting pool. Photos of the ceremony accompany this article