Alfred Maletsky
Medallic Artist
Designer & Sculptor
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar
1997 Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Commemorative Silver One Dollar Proof Reverse
1997 Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Commemorative Silver One Dollar Proof Obverse
Background
The coin was authorized to commemorate the sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families in preserving public safety. The coin was available for purchase from the U.S. Mint from September 19, 1997, through December 15, 1998.
On October 15, 1991, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated in Washington D.C. to honor the more than 14,000 officers slain in the line of duty. An inscription on the memorial by Vivian Eney, survivor, says, "It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."
Recipient Organization
A $10 surcharge per coin benefited the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, which maintains a memorial to fallen officers as well as a scholarship fund for those officers' families.
Commemorative coin programs are created by acts of Congress to honor a person, place, or event. Surcharges from the sales of these coins help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public. Commemorative coins are only available from the United States Mint for a limited time, as specified by public law.
Characteristics
The coin's obverse is based on a photo by Larry Ruggeri showing two officers (U.S. Park police officers Robert Chelsey and Kelcy Stefansson) taking a rubbing of a ellow officer's name from the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall.
The coin's reverse shows the official Emblem of the National Law Enforcement Memorial, a shield and a solitary rose. The shield represents all law enforcement officers, and the rose is emblematic of the officers' sacrifice and dedication.
Obverse Inscriptions
- NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL
- LIBERTY
- 1997
- IN GOD WE TRUST
Reverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- TO SERVE AND PROTECT
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- ONE DOLLAR