Washington, DC - The Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) will dedicate the Diplomatic Security Memorial in a ceremony at the DS headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, Friday.

This memorial wall, located in the lobby of DS headquarters, will publicly honor 137 employees, U.S. military personnel, and contractors—U.S. citizens and foreign nationals—who lost their lives in the line of duty while in service to DS.

Before the installation of the Diplomatic Security Memorial, DS was the only federal law enforcement agency without its own memorial. Many of those who gave their lives in service to DS were not eligible for inclusion on the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) Memorial, which primarily honors members of the Foreign Service who died while serving abroad.

The memorial wall consists of a central plaque explaining the purpose of the Diplomatic Security Memorial and adjacent plaques listing the individual’s name, country of death, and year of death. An electronic kiosk provides information about individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty. Additionally, a special area on the U.S. Department of State/DS website will display information about the Diplomatic Security Memorial and the names of the fallen personnel (www.dsmemorial.state.gov).

Gregory B. Starr, Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security, will host the event. Speakers include: Antony J. Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State; Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey, Deputy Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Plans, Policies, and Operations; and Bill Miller, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service.

Following the ceremony, video of the event will be available on DVIDS (www.dvidshub.net). Photos of the event may be requested from DS Public Affairs.

Family members of those honored on the Memorial will not be available for interviews.