The National Law Enforcement Museum (NLEM) in Washington, D.C., is spotlighting the artistic talents of peace officers and the healing power of creativity with its first-ever art exhibition, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.” The show, which opened to the public September 28 and is on view until August 30, 2025, displays works by active and retired law enforcement officers from across the U.S.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) Executive Director of Officer Safety and Wellness Troy Anderson initially suggested the exhibit as a way to demonstrate the value of art therapy in coping with officer trauma, managing stress and finding meaning in life beyond the badge. NLEOMF Chief Operating Officer and NLEM Executive Director Thomas Canavan says that by showcasing officers’ humanity, it also furthers the museum’s mission of telling the story of American law enforcement and connecting with communities. 

The NLEM held an open call for entries and received 177 submissions, which were narrowed down to the final 50 by a jury of about 12 people, including board and staff members as well as law enforcement wellness experts. Canavan says the process took into account not only the technical execution of the art, but also the artists’ backgrounds and “how they’ve articulated what making art means to them, how it helps them navigate their world and how it helps them cope with different aspects of their job.”

The result is a diverse group of artists representing about 25 states plus D.C., working in a variety of media and covering a wide range of topics. Canavan notes that a surprising number “went to art school and learned the craft before becoming officers and have always been making art throughout their career,” while others “were new to making art and were using it as an opportunity to reflect on themselves, their careers, their communities, people they’ve lost in their lives and how that’s impacted them.” Several are forensic artists who combined art and law enforcement in their careers. One piece is being shown posthumously — a painting by fallen Alexandria Police Detective Conrad L. Birney that was submitted by his daughter Judy, also an Alexandria police officer.

K-9 handler Deputy Chad Bingham takes his artistic inspiration from the animals he works with, using coffee, ink and watercolor to paint canines who have passed away, either in the line of duty or after retiring. One Last Ride depicts his first K-9 partner, Paul, on his last SWAT operation before retirement. “All he wanted to do was run with his pack one last time,” Bingham says. “Looking at him reminds me of the good times we had together.”

Lisa Flahive is a retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer whose painting Duty Honor Courage was inspired by the 1994 line-of-duty death of her older brother Scott. “I’m so thrilled that this painting will hang in the museum that honors Scott,” she says. “I get to bring my mom back to Washington for the opening, and we’ll walk across the street to see Scott’s name on the wall again.” 

Delaware State Police Corporal David Huynh’s photograph Innocence also holds deep personal significance. “Just a month before capturing this moment, my academy classmate and I were injured in the line of duty when our patrol vehicles were struck during an investigation on a bridge,” he shares. “That incident left a lasting mark on both our lives and our families. The image of my daughter joyfully splashing in puddles after a rainstorm serves as a reminder of life’s fleeting, precious moments.” 

Canavan, who went to art school himself, says he’s impressed and excited by the quality of the work in “Officers as Artists.” He hopes it inspires other officers to explore their own outlets for creative expression, and above all, he hopes it helps the public understand law enforcement better. “We wanted to use this opportunity to show officers in a different light,” he explains. “This exhibition is really going to help people see that they’re people just like the rest of us who see the world as a beautiful place, one that is filled with wonder and love and compassion.”