May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, where fallen officers are remembered. Annually, on that date, a memorial service for fallen police officers from across the nation is held in Washington, D.C.

Locally, beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club in New Tripoli, is hosting a memorial service as well, to observe National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Named Angels with Badges, the event is open to the public."We are putting together a short shoot where we will fire a round from 100 yards to a target," said organizer Mike Wheeler, a retired Maryland state trooper, who now works as a golf pro at Whitford Country Club in Exton.Wheeler, retired Maryland trooper Errol Cruz and members of Ontelaunee are helping to organize the event. Ontelaunee volunteered to host it."We will fire one round for each officer we lost during 2016 - 135 officers died in the line of duty in 2016.""After the shoot we will take the paper targets from the range, collect them, and make a collage," he added. "The collage will be donated to the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C."Organizers are also seeking donations from local businesses, as well as from businesses across the nation. Any funds received will be donated to a scholarship fund for the children of the fallen officers."Even though this is our first year we are getting a good response, and getting items we can use in a silent auction," Wheeler said. "We hope the event grows every year and eventually becomes a weekend event."For information, visit

www.angelswithbadges.com, where there's a link to a GoFundMe page. To donate, contact Wheeler at 443-841-5438.