​​Museum of Valor

As a charitable, not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the MUSEUM OF VALOR will rely on the support from Wisconsin-based corporations and foundations, gift shop sales, and the invaluable support of individuals who wish to see this one-of-a-kind institution established. For more information on how you can support the Museum's fundraising efforts, contact the Museum's Chief Executive Officer, Jim Palmer, at 608.273.3840, or by e-mail at palmer@wisconsinvalor.org.

The WPPA’s 2013 award winners included the Oak Creek officers referenced above. Their brave actions drew national attention, in addition to the recognition by President Obama at a White House ceremony. 
  A squad car simulator booth.

​Join the force! 
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Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help us turn our vision into a reality!

Registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the United States Internal Revenue Service as a not-for-profit charitable entity, THE WISCONSIN LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM OF VALOR will promote public interest, awareness, knowledge, and education about the law enforcement profession by sharing the historical accounts of bravery that the WPPA began recognizing so many years ago, in addition to those that the Museum’s Board of Trustees will select every year hereafter.  
What began as an awards program in 1946 has now evolved into the creation of an independent, charitable organization to establish Wisconsin’s only museum devoted to memorializing our state’s law enforcement heroes and the invaluable public service they provide. 
  Various historical law enforcement artifacts.

Stories of courage, duty, and sacrifice like this one have been honored every year by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association since 1946. The state's largest law enforcement group, the WPPA has served the needs of our state's officers for over 80 years, and for nearly as long, it has promoted the heroic conduct of officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

  A police motorcycle photo booth.

It has often been said that tragedy breeds heroes. 

For law enforcement officers, tragedy and heroism are part of every day life.

On the morning of August 5, 2012, a man with ties to extreme white supremacist organizations and armed with a 9-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol shot several people at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The gunman killed five men and one woman, and wounded three additional men, including Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy. Murphy, who was engaging the gunman to protect innocent people, was shot nine times at close range. A fellow officer, Sam Lenda, shot the perpetrator, ending the threat and saving countless lives.

In addition to this historical collection, the Museum also plans to include:

  An interactive bomb robot.
A modest theater highlighting the Museum’s honorees, public safety messaging, and the invaluable assistance of our founding partners and sponsors.

​Wisconsin Law Enforcement

In addition to supporting the Museum’s operations, we also intend to support a scholarship program, public service messaging about public safety, and relief efforts aimed at assisting the families of officers struck by tragedy.