Our History

"To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act." - Anatole France (1844 - 1924)

On January 1, 2009, the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial (WSLEMF) and 10-99 Foundations combined forces to become one organization – Behind the Badge Foundation (BtBF).

For years, supporters of both organizations dreamed and worked hard to accomplish great things for Washington law enforcement families. It was apparent the missions of both the WSLEMF and 10-99 Foundations were the same once construction of the State Law Enforcement Memorial was accomplished. As such, it made sense to combine the two organizations under one umbrella organization. Board members from each organization agreed, resulting in the newly formed Behind the Badge Foundation. BtBF continues to address line of duty death and has added catastrophically injured officer issues to its mission statement.

The following is an overview of what has been accomplished. Continue to dream with us. With you, supporters behind the badge, great things are yet to come.

Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial

Raised close to $2 million to build a law enforcement memorial on the Capitol grounds in Olympia, honoring Washington’s fallen heroes
Along with the Department of General Administration, Portico (architects) and Edifice (General contractor), WSLEMF oversaw construction of one of the most beautiful memorials in the United States – the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial
The Memorial was dedicated to the citizens of the state of Washington on May 1, 2006
Was instrumental in seeing legislation passed, allowing the sale of specialty license plates
$28 from each LEM license plate sold is forwarded to an endowment held by Behind the Badge Foundation. These funds ensure maintenance of the Memorial in perpetuity and provide financial assistance to the families of Washington police officers killed in the line of duty.
Formed a state recognized Line of Duty Death Response Team. Since 1998, the Response Team has come along side police agencies and newly grieving families of over 30 line of duty deaths in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The Response Team has also assisted with non-line of duty death memorial ceremonies, ensuring appropriate honors are given.

10-99 Foundation

Police funerals cannot be paid for using public funds. To keep the family of fallen officers from bearing the considerable cost of the memorial ceremony honoring their loved one, the 10-99 Foundation defrayed the expenses of line of duty death memorial ceremonies.
National Police Week in Washington, DC is instrumental in helping line of duty death families cope with the magnitude of trauma and grief experienced. The 10-99 Foundation defrayed travel expenses to Washington, DC, ensuring cost was not a factor to their attending.
COPS Hands On Programs, specifically geared to law enforcement line of duty death trauma also provide strong support to line of duty death families. The 10-99 Foundation defrayed travel costs to the camps for Washington survivors.
Resourced law enforcement line of duty death families through its Resource Center, providing pro bono or reduced rate assistance in the areas of financial planning, memorial planning, counseling, and legal counsel.