Holder breaks ground for law museum

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder broke ground Thursday for the National Law Enforcement Museum, saying it will help the public understand law enforcement.

The new Washington museum is going up next to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial near the National Building Museum.

"When the National Law Enforcement Museum opens in 2013, it will tell a story that no other museum does -- of more than three centuries of law enforcement officers protecting their fellow citizens, advancing the cause of justice, and establishing a tradition of service that continues to keep us safe," Holder said.

"In addition to sharing these collective achievements," he added, "this new museum will highlight the contributions of individual heroes -- and honor the 20,000 law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to help and protect others."

Holder said visitors "will be able to step into the shoes of dispatchers, police officers, and detectives -- from the distant dawn of the 18th century to the demanding days of the 21st."

NBC said the groundbreaking was delayed two years because of fundraising and design problems.