Local event kicks off fundraising for ‘The Oath’ statue, set to be unveiled in May 2026

WARNER ROBINS – Local officers united at Chick-fil-A for Community Care Night on Thursday, May 29. It was an opportunity for families to connect with law enforcement and support “The Oath” statue.

Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton believes events like the Community Care Night help connect law enforcement with the community they serve. He said he wants people to trust law enforcement and know they are doing their job the right way.

The event was the first to help raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to build the statue. Georgia Ambassador for the NLEOMF Steve Rodgers said the monument will be dedicated to the men and women who serve every day.

The monument will be called “The Oath,” inspired by the Oath of Office, the words officers recite before receiving their badges. Rodgers said their oath to citizens is to always stand between them and danger.

The location of the monument is currently unknown, but Rodgers said they are searching for sites in Houston County or near law enforcement centers.

Community Care Night was one of several events they will be hosting to raise money. Houston County is home, which is why Rodgers wanted to start their series of events here. Chick-fil-A on Highway 96 wanted to be the first business host, and Rodgers shared that they will also reach out to other area businesses.

Local churches will also partner with the organization, including The Grove Church in Perry. Rodgers shared they will be having a county-wide church festival honoring law enforcement. He anticipates it will be held towards the end of the summer. 

The organization plans to work with the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia Southern. Rodgers said they want to try to get former quarterbacks to compete in a throwing contest. This will also be a fundraiser for the monument.

All events will be geared towards supporting law enforcement and reaching their goal of having a statue to remember those who serve. The side of the monument will be adorned with benches, which will feature the names of citizens and businesses that supported the statue, Rodgers explained. 

“We’re honoring our officers, and at the same time, our officers will take what we do through this project and turn around and give back to the community because we are a part of the community,” he said. “We raise our children here, we go to church here, we play ball here [and] we socialize here. Part of this project is to bring unity to our state, to our communities, to our cities [and] to our citizens.”

Rodgers said remaining funds will be donated to organizations fighting to keep illegal drugs out of school systems.

The organization has multiple ambassadors representing different states. Rodgers said that four ambassadors have stated that if they can reach their goal here, they will create a similar monument in their states. He believes they can start a movement with this project that shows their endless support for officers every day.

Rodgers said thousands of businesses and citizens in Houston County are pro-law enforcement. Once they host their events in the county, he said, they will then reach out to other counties, allowing multiple agencies to work together, and with recognition on the statue itself.

“We want to ask the city, the businesses, the churches of every county and every city to work together and raise money that it takes to have their department’s names added to one of the plaques on the base of the monument and that way we get everybody included, it shows total unity and sets a place where people can come and see something that’ll be very special,” he said.

Rodgers anticipates unveiling the statue in May of 2026, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, where a music video will be played to celebrate the milestone. The song is named after the monument and was written by a fellow Georgian. 

Rodgers said the music video will be filmed in Houston County and wants to include a famous Sheriff and President Donald Trump.

The proceeds from the song will go towards the organization.

Rodgers said law enforcement is always there for their people by putting together support programs for families who have lost someone in the line of duty. They want to make sure they are not forgotten. He shared that losing a fellow officer in the line of duty will always mean something.

“The badge and the oath we take is our word. It’s what is most important to us in our life. That’s the reason we do it because we know we put our lives at risk everyday. Every time we put on the badge we’re a target,” he said. 

Rodgers also said everything they are doing is to recognize law enforcement and appreciate what they do. The recent Community Care Night was just the start of a chain of events around the county.

“Everything we’re doing is for our law enforcement officers, and say thank you. That’s all they want. They just need to recognize and know they are appreciated for what they do,” he said. 

Rodgers also said the monument is for the state, and he hopes to see it in the heart of the state, specifically in Houston County. He believes the country needs heroes, and those in law enforcement keep their communities safe every day.

“We have heroes. We have heroes around us everyday. We just need to recognize them for being here and not just somebody we call if somebody breaks into our house. They’re heroes regardless,” he said.

Rodgers encourages those wanting more information to visit his social media. He can also be reached through email at servantstaskforce@outlook.com or by calling him at (478) 960-5838.