This year’s National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Candlelight Vigil once again drew significant attention from national and local media, highlighting the impact of NLEOMF’s annual tribute to fallen officers. Our media outreach and on-site support resulted in extensive coverage from April 30 through May 16.
Between those dates, the event received a combined total of 1,328 media mentions, with 751 of them being broadcast segments referencing the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the Memorial Fund, or the National Law Enforcement Museum. Additionally, 577 online stories featured similar keywords. At the media check-in desk during the event, Maroon PR credentialed a total of 64 media professionals and law enforcement agency representatives, providing them with direct access and support on-site.
Coverage began early with features on a number of regional stations, including WFEA Radio in Manchester, NH, KDVR-TV in Denver, WTNH-TV in New Haven, CT, WWL Radio in New Orleans, and WXII-TV in Winston-Salem, NC. Nationally syndicated radio segments were also secured with personalities such as Ryan Gorman of WFLA (Tampa), Manny Munoz on WIOD (Miami), and hosts from WMAL Radio (Washington, D.C.).
On the day of the Vigil, our team provided active on-site support, with NLEOMF CEO Bill Alexander completing interviews with WXII-TV, News Channel 9 in Syracuse, and WUSA9 in Washington, D.C. These interviews helped personalize and amplify the importance of the event for viewers across multiple markets.
The Vigil also received national exposure. A full-page ad honoring the Roll Call of Heroes appeared on the back page of the news section in the May 9 edition of USA Today. Additional national broadcast coverage included CBS News, NewsNation Live with Marni Hughes, Newsmax, NBC News’ Washington Bureau, Gray Media, Spectrum News, and Lilly Broadcasting. Many of these outlets provided content to their regional affiliates, expanding upon the reach of the event.
Locally in Washington, coverage was strong from stations including WUSA9, NBC4, and WJLA. Additional features tied to the Vigil and the Roll Call of Heroes aired on WTOP-FM, including a segment on their “Working Capital” program which aired on May 5, and then on WMAL Radio May 10.
Beyond the D.C. metro area, media outreach and distribution by Maroon PR generated widespread interest, leading to on-site attendance by outlets from across the country:
KARE-TV in Minneapolis, WILX-TV in Lansing, WOAI-TV in San Antonio, WFMY-TV in Greensboro, WNCN-TV in Raleigh, WSOC-TV and WBTV in Charlotte, WTKR-TV in Norfolk, WYOU-TV and WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre, WSYR-TV in Syracuse, WENY-TV in Elmira, Erie News Now, WFSB-TV in New Haven, WSMV-TV in Nashville, WTOV-TV in Wheeling, WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, KNOE-TV in Monroe, KTIV-TV in Sioux City, KOLD-TV and KMSB-TV in Tucson, and KOAA-TV in Pueblo.
Maroon PR is honored to help share these powerful stories and we’re grateful to the journalists, media outlets, and law enforcement partners who are dedicated to doing the same. Their continued support helps ensure that these legacies live on in communities across the nation.