During the Fall of 2014, New York City Police Officer Austin Glickman (then NYPD Police Recruit) created the original concept of Law Enforcement Officers Weekend. Austin’s academy class was heavily influenced by national news incidents which had occurred throughout the country, sparking violent protests and “social justice” movements fueled by false narratives. Just a few days prior to his academy graduation, NYPD Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were assassinated in Brooklyn, a direct outcome of these violent protests and movements. Austin’s first time officially wearing his Class A uniform was not for his academy graduation, but for the funerals of his fallen brothers. These heart-wrenching experiences sparked Officer Glickman’s desire to design a weekend getaway dedicated to law enforcement officers and their families.
In 2016, Austin approached the Mayor of Lake George, New York, Robert Blais, with the idea of creating an event specific for law enforcement officers and their families which would allow them to participate in an array of events and activities throughout the Lake George Region. After developing a planning and logistics committee comprised of local law enforcement agencies, businesses, government officials and the Chamber of Commerce, Law Enforcement Weekend (LEO Weekend) was born. The organization quickly filed for their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (officially granted in December of 2017) and created their official mission statement: To Support Law Enforcement Families Affected by a Line of Duty Death or Serious Injury; By Providing A Weekend Getaway With Their Blood & Blue Families of Active & Retired Law Enforcement Officers From Across The United States. Aside from providing a family-friendly event, the organization vowed to pay the expenses for selected families who’ve suffered a serious line of duty injury or death, to attend our yearly Lake George weekend.
On May 15th, 2017, Lake George welcomed the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers Weekend. Since then, Lake George has graciously hosted the 2nd and 3rd Annual Weekends in 2018 and 2019. In total, over 800 law enforcement officers, families, friends and supporters have attended our three events. We’ve had the honor of hosting 9 families from across the United States whom have suffered from a line of duty death.
Law Enforcement Officers Weekend has continued to grow since its inaugural year in 2017. The organization now offers a total of three getaway vacations to the families of injured and fallen officers in Lake George and Long Beach, NY, and our newest location in Miami, Florida. Aside from these flagship getaways, Law Enforcement Officers Weekend also hosts family-friendly events and activities throughout the year, consisting of professional sporting events, fishing charters, motorcycle rides, PTSD/Suicide awareness seminars and so much more!
As of December 31st, 2022, Law Enforcement Officers Weekend has assisted 58 families, representing 26 different law enforcement agencies from 16 different states.
