The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) proudly announces Officer Nicholas Vandemar of the Rochester, New York, Police Department as the September 2023 Officer of the Month. His courageous actions underscore the daily risks faced by law enforcement officers and their continuous commitment to preserving the safety of their communities.

On the evening of September 30, officers responded to a dispatch call involving multiple gunshots fired. Shortly after arriving on the scene, Officer Vandemar’s quick thinking and bravery became evident as he noticed a vehicle with no headlights fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. This prompted him to initiate a vehicular pursuit that continued until the suspect’s vehicle collided with a pole. Subsequently, the driver fled from the vehicle, leading the officer to engage in a determined foot chase. The pursuit reached a critical point when the suspect sought refuge in the backyard of a residence, and the officer momentarily lost sight of the suspect. It was during this momentary lapse that Vandemar was ambushed from behind, leading to a physical struggle between him and the suspect. The officer attempted to deploy his department-issued Taser, but it proved unsuccessful. A harrowing fight ensued over the officer’s firearm, which had been removed from its holster. During this intense altercation, five rounds were fired, with the last round striking the suspect in the jaw. Additional responding officers quickly arrived on the scene and immediately began providing medical aid to the suspect, ensuring a swift response to the situation.

“Officer Vandemar’s selfless dedication to upholding the highest standards of law enforcement exemplifies the resilience and valor exhibited by officers nationwide,” NLEOMF CEO Bill Alexander said. “His unwavering commitment to public safety and his extraordinary bravery in the face of danger make him a deserving recipient of the Officer of the Month award.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all the 24,067 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

Since 2014, the National Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Flower Fund has sent a floral arrangement to the funeral services of every officer who has been killed in the line of duty. This initiative, which has served as the cornerstone of the charity, has sent more than 2,000 arrangements on behalf of its members, costing over $500,000.

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