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History of the White House Gift Shop
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Photo courtesy: Thomas Gillan, Winter Springs, FL
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The White House Police Benefit Fund was established on September 9, 1946. The original objectives were to provide flowers when a member had a death in their immediate family, and as a means of providing retiring members a departing gift from the force. For years the gift shop operated in the basement of the Old Executive Office Building, a part of the White House complex. For security reasons this store was accessible only to White House staff and their guests.
To meet demand from past staff members and the public the benefit fund has opened new locations including an online store. We are happy to hear from previous customers and to continue to provide quality gift items from the White House Gift Shop. All are encouraged to sign our guest book so we can stay in touch.
 On November 1, 1950, White House Police Officer Leslie Coffelt was killed and two other Officers injured while defending President Truman during an assassination attempt at Blair House. Officer Coffelt remains the only member of the Secret Service to die while actually defending a President from an assassination attempt.
After the assassination attempt at Blair House, the White House Security Fund was created. The purpose was to provide for the spouses and children of any White House Police Officer who was killed or seriously injured in the performance of their duties. Money was generated from donations made to the White House Police in the months following the assassination attempt and Officer Coffelt's death.
On November 1st, of each year, the men and women of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division honor the anniversary of Officer Coffelt's supreme sacrifice with wreath laying ceremonies at Blair House, the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial and at Officer Coffelt's gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery.
 In December, 1955, the Benefit Fund was granted non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service under Title 26, Section 501c, Paragraph 4.
In the early 1960's, the White House Police Benefit Fund along with the White House Security Fund and the White House Pistol Match Fund were merged into what is now the Uniformed Division Benefit Fund.
 Over the years, the Benefit Fund has grown in scope of operation, providing more benefits than ever before. The Executive Board has grown from five to eleven members.
Revenue for operating the Benefit Fund is generated through the sale of various commemorative items. Historically these items have been purchased by Secret Service personnel, White House staff members and their guests. The limited availability of these gifts has made them very popular.
The Uniformed Division remains committed to supporting charity. A large portion of the proceeds from the sale of our items goes directly to charities in the greater Washington, D.C. area and across the nation.
The men and women of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Benefit Fund would like to thank you for your interest in the Uniformed Division, and in particular, the Benefit Fund's White House Gift Shop.
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