USAF Police Museum & Memorial

A small group of Air Force law enforcement alumni launched a police museum and memorial on October 8, 2014 to help safeguard history they feared was in danger of being lost following the shuttering of the 35-year-old Security Forces Museum at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in August. Budget cuts forced the closure of the base museum, where artifacts told the story of the Air Force’s largest career field and a Hall of Honor memorialized those killed in the line of duty in war and peace. Officials have tried to assure present and former security forces airmen — known as air police and security police over the decades — that their proud history is not going anywhere. A yet-to-be-built enlisted heritage and character development center that would include those artifacts and memorials as well as represent other Air Force jobs could open as early as 2017. In the meantime, the museum is open for training and by appointment until the best exhibits are put on display at an interim facility sometime next year. But none of that appeased many security forces alumni who said they felt blindsided — and marginalized — by the closing. Thousands joined a “Save the Security Forces Museum” Facebook page and signed a White House petition pleading for a reversal of the decision.

The Museum

The USAF Police Alumni Association was formed after notification came in August 2014 that the United States Air Force Security Forces Museum was being closed. The purpose of the museum is to show Defenders honor in the memorial, for the sacrifice they have made as well as the accomplishments and tasks performed by United States Air Police, Security Police and Security Forces past, present and future.

The Memorial

The USAF Police Alumni Association recognizes the service and sacrifice of all USAF Air Police, Security Police and Security Forces personnel. When the USAF Security Forces Museum was closed at Lackland AFB they also closed the Memorial for the fallen airmen who defended the USAF installations, resources and personnel. Unlike memorials from wars, conflicts and campaigns the USAF Police Memorial will never be completed. This Memorial is a constant reminder of the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have died defending the United States of America.

See also

• United States Air Force
• United States Air Force Security Forces
• USAF Police Alumni Association
• USAF Police Virtual Memorial
• Department of the Air Force Police
• Air Force Security Police Badge