PWCPD Spotlight: Honor Guard, Paying Tribute through Service!

The Honor Guard is a part-time specialty unit assigned to the Special Operations Division of the Prince William County Police Department. The team is comprised of 25 sworn police officers from throughout the Department. Members are of all ranks from First Sergeant and below.  The team is led by a Lieutenant and a Captain. 

Each member voluntarily requests to join the Unit, and following a thorough selection process, they are allowed to join the Unit. Once an officer is selected, they are fitted for a ceremonial uniform and are issued new equipment to be used during formal ceremonies. Members are trained in how to wear and prepare their uniform before events. Recently the team has had two members trained to play the bagpipes. They have been provided uniforms and are beginning to attend ceremonies as requested. Also, three members of the Department have been added to assist the team as vocalists to sing the National Anthem when requested. 

The team conducts monthly training in military-style drill and ceremony – training which is over and above their regular jobs with the Department. Drill movements covered during training are marching, facing movements, rifle drill, color guard drill and maneuvers, casket carry, casket guard and relief, and flag folding to name a few. Some members have attended Honor Guard training courses put on by other agencies. Members train regularly with the Sheriff’s Department and the Fire Department, both of which also have Honor Guard units. Military representatives occasionally conduct training on their procedures and movements, as well.   

The Honor Guard team performs a variety of ceremonies representing the Police Department during community events, parades, and funerals for law enforcement members. They regularly present the colors during local ceremonies in and around the area, and they have presented the colors at Washington Nationals baseball games and at Dulles International Airport during the Honor Flights for veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Select members have also represented the Department during the International Law Enforcement Torch Run conference by carrying the flame of hope during opening ceremonies.

The team conducts funeral services and honors for members of the department who have died in the line of duty. Honor Guard members stand watch over fallen officers until funeral services are completed. Members also conduct funeral services for officer’s that have died while off-duty or after retiring. The team represents the department at funerals for fallen Officers from other agencies throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia. Members of the team have also traveled across the nation to honor fallen officers. 

At the end of National Police Week, on May 15 – National Peace Officers Memorial Day – the team provides a cordon for the President of the United States at the Capitol, standing watch as the President delivers a speech to the families of the fallen. Afterwards the team provides ceremonial guard at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

This vital service is just one way that members of this specialty unit serve and represent Prince William County government and residents.