2026 Law Enforcement Appreciation and Memorial Service

On Wednesday, May 14, during National Police Week, the downtown community gathered in Woodruff Park for the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation and Memorial Service. 

The event brought together community members, public safety partners, elected officials, and downtown stakeholders to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia. The program included remarks, reflections, tributes, and a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

Representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies joined in a shared moment of gratitude and reflection, underscoring the strength of collaboration that supports public safety in Downtown Atlanta. 

The service also highlighted the longstanding partnership between Downtown Atlanta Inc. (formerly ADID & CAP) and the Atlanta Police Department, along with the broader Downtown Interagency Law Enforcement Partnership (ILE). Established in 1990, ILE brings together public safety agencies, private security partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen coordination, communication, and response across the downtown environment. 

Downtown Atlanta Inc., in collaboration with Legacy Ventures, also convenes the monthly ILE public safety forum, further strengthening coordination and shared situational awareness among downtown partners. 

In addition, Downtown Atlanta Inc. serves as steward of the ‘Give Our Police a Hand’ memorial monument in Downtown Atlanta’s central park, generously dedicated through the partnership and support of the Atlanta Bar Association. 

The monument carries deep historical significance rooted in one of Atlanta’s most difficult periods. During the Atlanta Child Murders (1979–1981), a series of tragic cases that claimed the lives of twenty-eight African American children, the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department faced profound grief, national scrutiny, and a community in need of healing. 

In response, the Atlanta Bar Association commissioned artist Steve Steinman to create a monument honoring fallen law enforcement officers and helping restore civic unity and pride. Located in Woodruff Park, the sculpture stands today as a place of reflection and remembrance for officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. 

At the heart of the monument is a powerful life casting of a child’s hand held by that of a police officer, an enduring symbol of trust, protection, and the bond between law enforcement and the community they serve. 

Today, the monument remains a meaningful space for reflection - honoring sacrifice while preserving an important chapter in Atlanta’s history. 

As Downtown Atlanta continues to grow and welcome millions of residents, students, workers, and visitors each year, these partnerships remain essential to sustaining a safe, welcoming, and vibrant downtown. 

We are deeply grateful to our law enforcement partners for their continued service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the community they serve.  

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: 

Tribute Sponsor: Eponic Corporation 

Hospitality Sponsors: Revolution Doughnuts and Spiller Park Coffee 

 Click here to see all event photos by photographer Matt Miller