The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) was created in January 1996 with the purpose of honoring fallen law enforcement officers from the United States.

The concept of the ODMP was thought of by Chris Cosgriff, a freshman at James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

When the ODMP first went online, it honored only law enforcement officers who were killed or wounded in 1996, but quickly expanded to include all law enforcement officers who were killed, going back to 1990.

With the help of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc. (NLEOMF), the ODMP was able to obtain the names of every law enforcement officer killed in the United States from 1792.

In 1997 the ODMP expanded internationally. Per the request of Australian Paul Britton, ODMP Australia was created with the purpose of honoring fallen Australian law enforcement officers. Shortly afterwards, ODMP Canada went online to honor fallen Canadian law enforcement officers. During 1997, ODMP South Africa went online, but was decommissioned due to unforeseen problems.

The ODMP has continued to expand with several additions to the site. The ODMP Photo Gallery, an interactive gallery of some officers included on the ODMP, was created in 1997.

America's Heroes was also added with the information obtained from the NLEOMF. One of the most recent additions is Reflections, a forum where friends, family members, or anyone else can leave memories and messages about a fallen officer.

In 1998, Assistant Director Michael D. Schutz was added to the ODMP staff. Michael was also a student at James Madison University and felt strongly that this nation's law enforcement officers deserve much more respect then they often receive. Mike helped develop the new database for the ODMP which allowed for automation. This automation allowed for more research and development of other features.

Unfortunately, the future only holds more additions and updates to the ODMP.

It is the hope of everyone who has helped to make the ODMP possible, that the senseless murders and crimes against our nation's bravest men and women will one day stop.

Until then, we will do everything we can in order to remember and honor all of the law enforcement officers who have ever given their lives.

When a police officer is killed, it is not a city that loses an officer, it is an entire nation.

From the staff of the ODMP...keep safe!

Chris Cosgriff, Chairman
The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.
PO Box 184
Oakton, VA 22124-0184

E-mail: cosgriff@odmp.org