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BHPD OFFICERS Assigned to the 2005 Presidental Inauguration of President Bush  (Jan 20, 2005)

With the tragic events of September 11, 2001, security was a major concern at the 2005 Presidental Inauguration ceremony and parade in Washington, DC.  Accordingly, the Metropolitan DC Police Department and the United States Park Police requested the assistance of various police departments throughout the country.  The Berwyn Heights Police Department was proud to have been one of the 85 agencies selected to assist in this historic event.  Approximately 2,000 police officers from as far away as Los Angeles, California, Seattle, Washington and Burleson County, Texas were brought in to provide extra protection at the parade route, and other high-profile events.  (See below for more information about BHPD officers working special details in Washington, DC)   The BHPD officers were assigned to patrol the street/sidewalk area along Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd & 7th Streets, and were sworn in as "Special" United States Park Police Officers, and "Special" Deputy U.S. Marshals for the day, giving them full police powers in the District of Columbia.  Additionally, the U.S. Park Police paid the officers salary for the 12 hours that they worked the event, from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.

The BHPD officers assigned to the event are pictured below.  (L-R) Cpl. Richard Hartnett, Sgt. Tom Moroney, Chief Patrick Murphy, Ofc. J. Walker Chapman, and Det/Cpl. Ken Antolik.

BHPD officers line up to be sworn in as Special U.S. Park Police Officers and Deputy U.S. Marshals at the Marshal Service Command Center.  (Note the extra bulky clothing.  It was an extremely cold and blustery day, and each officer was wearing several layers of clothing to combat the temperature, making movement somewhat difficult.)

BHPD officers were issued a special ID card from the U.S. Secret Service identifying them as members of the detail.  (Not all assisting agencies received these special and commerative ID's.)

The parade route before the crowds arrived.  Note the hundreds of officers lined up on each side of the street.  Most of them stood in that position the entire day.

Sgt.Tom Moroney & Chief of Police Cathy Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department

Officers of the U.S. Mint Police keep an eye on hundreds of protesters lining up
to make themselves "heard" on the parade route.

U.S. Park Police in riot gear standby to make sure the protesters do not get out of hand or intentionally disrupt the parade.

In addition to the thousands of police officers, ceremonial military personnel lined the parade route as well, from The Capitol to The White House.

Police sharpshooters (snipers) adorn the tops of buildings overlooking the inauguaral parade route.

Some of Chicago's 300 officers assigned to the Inaugural Detail, take time out to
pose for a photo with Sergeant Moroney, Corporal Hartnett & Officer Chapman.

Sergeant Moroney, Officer Chapman and Detective Antolik talk to officers from the U.S. Mint Police about the situation with the protesters.

Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police heading to their assigned position along the parade route, near the large contingent of protesters.

A reporter from WUSA (TV Channel 9) gives an on air description of the festivities as they begin to take shape. 

10:00 am and the crowds start to arrive.  By 11:30 thousands of people will be 
lined up or in bleachers along Pennsylvania Avenue, ready to watch the parade.

Sergeant Moroney, Officer Chapman and Detective Antolik with several Rhode Island State Troopers.  Now THESE guys are dressed for cold weather!

11:00 am.  The procession of dignitaries heading from The White House to The Capitol begins with Metropolitan Police motorcycles.

Security is tight as the motorcade carrying the Chief Justice, President Bush and Vice-President Cheney and their families heard toward The Capitol.

As the limousine carrying the President and Vice-President approach, it is preceeded by a White House authorized press corps van.

All military personnel salute the "Commander-In-Chief" as the President's limousine passes by, enroute to The Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

 

2005 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION - WASHINGTON, DC

 

One of the many bleachers with seating for people who paid $150 or more for special "reserved seating" tickets.

With the parade about to begin, Chief Murphy goes over last minute details with Sergeant Moroney at the corner of 7th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue.

If you didn't come dressed warmly enough, you could always buy an unofficial "2005 Inauguration Sweatshirt" from one of the local street vendors.

TV news personality Paul Berry announces the parade participants from a white tent on the opposite side of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Berwyn Heights officers were assigned to patrol Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd & 7th Streets.  Once the parade started however, the crowds were so heavy that moving was next to impossible.  Most officers stayed in one spot.

Barely visible amongst the crowd, BHPD Officer J. Chapman keeps an eye out for trouble makers and terrorists.

"It just wouldn't be an inauguration without Uncle Sam!"  The famed icon takes time
out of his busy schedule to pose with Corporal Hartnett and Chief Murphy.

All Berwyn Heights Police Officers wore this special commerative badge during the month of January 2005 only.  The badge is now officially retired from service.

Fortunately, other than a few minor skirmishes with protesters, no major incidents occurred during this historic event. The only injuries suffered by Berwyn Heights officers were sore feet and some frostbitten ears!

* The Berwyn Heights Police Department has been called upon twice in the past to assist the United States Park Police with the Fourth of July festivites at The Mall in Washington, DC.  The department provided personnel in both 2003 and 2004, for this 12-16 hour event.  

The department was also invited to participate in the law enforcement honoring of the late President Ronald Reagan at his state funeral, also in Washington, DC.

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