Monthly News From

COPS

Concerns of Police

Survivors, Inc.

 

July 2006

 

 

New Employees at COPS

      On June 12, Erin Bishop became the new Receptionist at the COPS National Office.  Erin is a recent college graduate of Graceland University (has nothing to do with Elvis, though) with a degree in sociology and minor in psychology.  She played center on the college basketball team and moved to the Lake of the Ozarks just recently from Osceola, IA.  She loves working with people, is 21 years old, has a cheerful attitude and she is looking forward to working with the membership of COPS.

      Effective June 11, Nicole Garrett, ac/CA/81, resigned from the Pacific Region Trustee position on the COPS National Board to take on the staff position of Director of Community Partnerships.  Her employment with COPS began June 19.  Nicole has been to Outward Bound®, Adult Children’s Retreat, National Police Week, and has worked with the “C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens” program at National Police Week for several years. 

 

Adult Children’s Retreat July 7-10

      The YMCI in Potosi, MO, will be the site of the Adult Children’s Retreat July 7-10. Twelve survivors and two mentors will address grief issues, challenge themselves to attain new goals, and receive a weekend of terrific professional and peer-support.

 

COPS Board/Chapter Training

      July 13-16, 2006, will find COPS Board Members meeting at the YMCA, Potosi, MO, with representatives of COPS’ 50 chapters discussing and learning about the paperwork that COPS and regulatory agencies require of chapters.  COPS expects approximately 81 people to attend the training.  Attendance is restricted to chapter representatives, board, and staff.        

 

“C.O.P.S. Teens” Outward Bound Experience Set for July 31 – August 6

      Registration for COPS’ 2006 Outward Bound experience for surviving children aged 15-20 is completely full. Unfortunately, COPS had to turn away 9 other applicants. The maximum of 33 participants and 2 mentors will arrive in Denver, Colorado, and then be transported to the Outward Bound facility in Leadville. The week will provide a challenging climb in the Rocky Mountains. This is the 9^th year COPS has provided this opportunity for surviving young adults to bond with others who have experienced the line-of-duty death of a parent while inspiring self-esteem, self-reliance, concern for others, and care for the environment. The only cost to participants is their travel to Colorado. Streamlight, Inc. is again sponsoring two participants by assisting with their travel costs and funding the Outward Bound tuition that COPS pays. Other contributors to this program include The Harold L. Vitale Memorial Fund, the Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo Committee, the Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, The Galleria Mall in Ft. Lauderdale (FL), Colorado Metroplex FOP Lodge, Super Seer Corporation, and terrific Denver-area law enforcement volunteers.

      COPS is investigating the possibility of 2 Outward Bound® programs next summer so no one will be denied admittance. Anticipated costs for the 2006 program may break the $50,000 mark.

 

Registrations Still Being Accepted for “C.O.P.S. Kids” Summer Camp 2006

      The COPS office will continue to accept registration for “C.O.P.S. Kids” Summer Camp 2006. Camp dates are July 31-August 6 in East Troy, WI. The surviving parent/guardian must accompany the surviving child(ren) ages 6-14. During the week, participants address individual and family grief issues and participate in family interaction and camp activities. Financial support for this program comes from the Scully Family Foundation, the Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo Committee, the Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Riding Committee, Wisconsin COPS Chapter, Green Bay FOP Lodge, Police Staff & Command Class #222 in memory of Troopers Billy Zachary and Matthew Myrick, the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department and Honor Guard in memory of Lt. LeRoy Nennig, Jr., the William P. Bosworth Memorial Golf Outing, the Oneida (WI) Police Department, and terrific Wisconsin law enforcement volunteers.

      Camp cost could exceed $85,000 this year if 175 people attend.

 

Registration Deadline Dates for Other Programs

      Survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty are encouraged to attend their specific Retreat:

      Siblings Retreat – September 8-11, registration deadline August 8

      Spouses Weekend – September 22-25, registration deadline August 22

      Parents’ Retreat – October 6-9, registration deadline September 6

      In-Law’s Retreat – October 20-23, registration deadline September 22

      Registration forms can be found at www.nationalcops.org/forms.htm

 

National Sheriff’s Conference Gives COPS Warm Welcome

      The National Sheriff’s Association held its annual conference in Orlando, FL, in June and COPS representatives Jean Hill, Charles Shinholser, and Suzie Sawyer attended.  NSA always includes COPS’ reps in their memorial service, invites survivors to attend their opening ceremonies, has the COPS flag on stage, provides a complimentary booth, and affords COPS seminar time as well. This year, in addition to their usual warm welcome, NSA made COPS a “passport” table which brought tons of people to the COPS booth. Thanks NSA for the tremendous support you show to our organization.        

 

DOJ Medal of Valor Nominations Due by July 31

      The US Department of Justice is accepting nominations until July 31 for the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. Public safety officers include those living or deceased, serving or having served in a public agency, with or without compensation. Officers who displayed exceptional acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty between June 1, 2005, and May 31, 2006, may be nominated by the chief or director of their employing agency. For more information and the application form, visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor/.

 

COPS WALK 2006

      COPS WALK 2006 is scheduled for October 14-15.  Please plan to join us in the Washington, DC area for this physically challenging and emotionally rewarding experience.  The deadline for registration if Friday, September 1, 2006. For more information, contact Kam Flynn, Executive Director, USSS-ERA via email at: usssera@verizon.net.  All proceeds benefit COPS.

      COPS is targeting 100 as the magic number for the COPS Walk. 100 walkers could help raise $100,000 for COPS!!!

 

COPS Cruise in 2007

      The Carnival Liberty, the newest ship in the Carnival fleet, will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, on March 3, 2007, for an 8-day cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. Stops include San Juan, St. Thomas/St. John, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, Nassau and return to Ft. Lauderdale. Only 45 cabins are available, so act quickly to make your reservations. Rates per person range from $719 to $1,219 depending on cabin and number of occupants. Contact John Pires at Corporate Travel at 1-800-203-6543. Deposit of $150 per person is required within 7 days of making reservations. Final payment will be due in December. December 15, 2006, is the final date to book this cruise.

 

California Peace Officers Association Raises $15,000 for COPS

The California Peace Officers Association donated the proceeds of their annual charity golf tournament, $15,000, to National COPS. Past President Linda Soubirous, Southern CAL-COPS Chapter President Mary Huffman and Vice-President Tammy Jacobs attended on behalf of National COPS, along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

 

 

 

National COPS Thanks Boy Scout Troop 146 and Cub Scout Pack 146

Following the deaths of two Fairfax County (VA) Police Officers attacked just prior to National Police Week 2006, Boy Scout Troop 146 and Cub Scout Pack 146 from Fairfax County worked hard to raise $1,675 and receive a matching grant from the Northrup-Grumman Foundation.  Raising their funds in May also helped to ensure that National COPS would receive the matching $20,000 grant pledged by The Force, a law enforcement clothing line of Vanity Fair.  Immediate Past President Shirley Gibson attended a check presentation ceremony and thanked the children for their hard work to ensure COPS received $5,025 honoring the supreme sacrifices of Fairfax County Police Officers Vicky Anne Armel and Michael E. Garbarino. The officers were shot in a May 8, 2006, attack on the Sully Precinct Station of the Fairfax County Police Department. Armel died at the scene and Garbarino died on May 17, 2006.

 

Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Safety Competition

      The 27th Annual Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Safety Competition will be September 14-16 at WalMart Super Center in Fredricksburg, VA. Proceeds benefit "C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens". For information, visit www.mapmrc.com.

 

End of Watch Memorial Golf Outing - Berlin, WI

      The second annual End of Watch Memorial Golf Outing will be held on July 31 at the Mascoutin Golf Club in Berlin, Wisconsin. This annual event honors the memories of three Wisconsin deputies: Mike Shannon, Adams County Sheriff's Office, EOW 03-07-03; Bruce Williams, Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, EOW 10-19-03; and Rick Meyer, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, EOW 11-13-03. Proceeds benefit COPS and, this year, the Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services. For more information, email Ken Daniels (kdaniels@new.rr.com).

 

COPSstore News

      Roll Call merchandise from National Police Week 2006 is now available for ordering at www.COPSstore.com.  Offerings have been expanded after receiving feedback at National Police Week. New items that have been added to the website include the Blue Ribbon Italian Charm, our Classic Teddy Bear, and the new COPS superTuff poly license plate.

      Each sale during National Police Week and through COPSstore.com benefits the National Office of COPS.  Thank you for your support of COPS and its programs.  Be sure to sign up for the COPSstore email list when visiting www.copsstore.com  to receive information on all specials, sales and closeouts.

 

 

 

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