Monthly News From

COPS

Concerns of Police

Survivors, Inc.

December 2005

Are Blue Lights Included in Your Holiday Decorations?

        Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS) is again promoting Project Blue Light during the holiday season as a visual display of support and gratitude for the men and women who serve as the peacekeepers in our communities. The blue lights also shine in honor of the peacekeepers that have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duties.

        “The color blue is associated with law enforcement,” explained COPS National President Shirley Gibson. “The color blue is also symbolic of peace. By displaying blue lights during the holidays we can send a dual message - that we support America’s peacekeepers and that we hope the coming year will be a year of peace.”

        Project Blue Light began in 1988 when the surviving mother-in-law of Philadelphia (PA) police officer  Daniel Gleason, killed in the line of duty, told COPS that she would have two blue lights in her window for the holidays, one in memory of Dan and one in memory of her daughter Pam, the officer’s widow, who had been killed in a car crash that year. COPS adopted this idea as way that everyone could honor the officers who serve and protect us while remembering those who have been killed in the line of duty.

        “One single blue light in a window makes such a dramatic and important statement,” continued President Gibson. “This can also be taken a step further. Homes, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and government buildings can be decorated with blue lights. Holiday trees, both inside and outside, can be decorated with blue lights. At this time in our history, we all need to let our peacekeepers know we support them and hope for peace in the coming year.”

        Let your blue lights shine for law enforcement during the holidays!

National COPS Hosts "Blue Nights" Open House

        Law enforcement, civic and community leaders, and area business people stopped by the COPS National Office on December 1 for a "Blue Nights" Open House. In addition to touring the national headquarters of COPS, visitors learned about COPS and Project Blue Light and were encouraged to participate. Guests included Camdenton Police Chief Laura Webster (left) and Camden County Sheriff's Sergeant Bill Moulder and his wife Jody (right, with Suzie Sawyer and Lynn Kuse of the National Staff).

Ask Your Congressman to Support H.R. 4424
In September of 2004, DC Metropolitan Police Widow Yvette Johnson met with Gary Hankins, a retired DC police officer and former President of DC FOP Lodge #1.  She asked why she had to purchase health care coverage at such exorbitant costs when her husband gave his all for the Federal Government.  Gary was shocked to learn that surviving families are denied access to affordable coverage following the line-of-duty death of their law enforcement officer.

Gary Hankins has been known for years as a man who can get things done.  He approached the Congressional office of Bart Stupak, D-MI, about the issue since Congressman Stupak is a former Michigan State Trooper.  Gary called and then met with DC COPS and National COPS representatives seeking the organization’s support for a bill to provide Federal health care coverage to survivors.  In January 2004 with the help of Gary Hankins, COPS National President Shirley Gibson and Executive Director Suzie Sawyer met with Lauren Lark of Congressman Stupak’s office vowing COPS’ support if a bill providing affordable health care coverage for survivors was introduced.

A few month later, the Congressional Budget Office needed estimated costs for including public safety survivors in the Federal health care plan.  Knowing that the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program did not have their computerization of claims paid back to 1976 complete, COPS asked if a one-year compilation of surviving spouses and dependent-aged children would meet the Budget Office’s needs.  COPS proudly provided that information to Congressman Stupak’s office on June 24, 2005, and it was forwarded on to the Congressional Budget Office.

During the week of November 21, 2005, Congressman Bart Stupak sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives asking them to co-sponsor the Widow(er)s’ Federal Employees Health Bill.  On November 14, COPS sent letters to the 440 seated members of the House of Representatives asking them not only to co-sponsor the bill but to vote for its passage.

        The legislation has now been introduced in the US House of Representatives. Passage of H.R. 4424 would allow law enforcement surviving spouses and dependent children affordable health care coverage by participating in the Federal Employees Health Care Plan. Monthly savings could be as much as 80% of what they are now paying for health care. COPS is requesting law enforcement’s help in assuring passage of this legislation. Please take action NOW and write your Congressman urging support for H.R. 4424.  If you need addresses for your letters, check website www.house.gov. 

The Traumas of Law Enforcement To Be Presented in Seven Locations

        Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS), with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, US Department of Justice, will present the highly regarded training “The Traumas of Law Enforcement” in seven different locations this year.

        Dates and sites for trainings in 2006 are as follows:  January 9 - 11 in Dallas, TX; January 23 - 25 in Huntsville, AL; February 6 - 8 in Lake Havasu City, AZ; February 27 - March 1 in Littleton, CO; March 6 - 8 in Toledo, OH; March 13 - 15 in Pomona, NJ; and March 20 - 22 in Eugene, OR.

        These three-day sessions provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to develop general orders addressing traumatic issues affecting officers and to sensitize them to emotional support needs of a fallen officer’s surviving families.  Other topics covered include death notification, funeral protocols, the need for emotional debriefings following critical incidents, law enforcement suicide, officer disability, traumatized officers, the effects of officer deaths on the co-workers, appropriate methods for dealing with survivors after the funeral, and the importance of support for officers that continue on the job.  Information on how to obtain continuing education units for the class will be available at the training site.

        This training is recommended for Chiefs, Superintendents, Sheriffs, Chaplains, Dispatchers, Benefits Assistance Officers, Planning and Research officers, Employee Assistance employees, Liaison Officers, Special Operations Divisions, Victim Assistance personnel, law enforcement officers, police spouses, and survivors. There is no registration fee for this COPS training, but pre-registration is mandatory.  COPS expects to train nearly 750 officers at these sessions in 2006. For a registration form, click here. <http://www.nationalcops.org/forms/training 2006.pdf>

Thanks to End of Watch Golf Outing

        The first annual End of Watch Memorial Golf Outing was held at Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa, WI, on July 18, 2005. This annual event benefits COPS and is held in memory of three fallen Wisconsin deputies: Green Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Bruce Williams (EOW 10/19/2003), Adams County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Shannon (EOW 03/07/2003), and Winnebago County Sheriff's Deputy  Rick Meyer (EOW 11/13/2003).

        COPS recently received a donation of $5,000 from this first annual event! Special thanks to those who coordinated, sponsored, and participated, and to the surviving families of Deputies Williams, Shannon, and Meyer for giving back to the COPS organization.

Dates Set for COPS' 2006 Retreats

        Mark your calendars! Note that the Adult Children's Retreat has been moved to July to better accommodate college students.

        Summer Camp in Troy, WI -  July 31 through August 6

        Outward Bound in Colorado - July 31 through August 6

        Adult Children's Retreat, Potosi, MO - July 7 through 10

        Siblings Retreat, Potosi, MO - September 8 through 11

        Spouses Weekend, Potosi, MO - September 22 through 25

        Parents Retreat, Camdenton, MO - October 6 through 9

        In-Laws Retreat, Potosi, MO - October 20 through 23

First COPS WALK Raises Over $30,000!!!!!

        The First Annual COPS WALK was a resounding success with 27 participants who brought in over $30,000 for COPS while forming valuable new friendships.  Survivors, officers, agents and loyal supporters walked 25 miles in two days in honor of loved ones and co-workers killed in the line of duty.  Everyone enjoyed perfect weather and beautiful scenery as they walked along the Potomac River through West Virginia and Maryland along the C & O Canal. Participants were treated to lunch along the trail each day, and delicious (if not low-calorie) meals each night.

        North Carolina COPS won the prize for the most participants with six members walking (Sue and Tony Miller, Shane and Cassie Cartrette, Jessica Turbeville and Christy Ward). These representatives generously donated their $200 prize back to National COPS.

        MASS COPS raised the most money this year, bringing in over $6075. MASS COPS was represented by Enza Conte, Debra Noyes and Maria Shaw.

        Madeline Neumann, Garden State COPS, raised the most money of all participants. Madeline wrote to over 500 friends, neighbors, family members and police officers to raise more than $5,000 on behalf of COPS.

        In addition to those named above, the following people accepted this year’s challenge:  Sandy Bergantino, “Shorty” Brooks, Carol Botts, Penny Cross, Debbie Geary, Nena Howey, Derwinn Magruder and his “favorite cousin” Regina Minor, Brandi Mundo, Julie Schmidt, Carole Semper, Lee Ann Shepperd, Jennifer and Katherine Thacker, Ginni Wolf, and Cindy Zimmerman.

        The U. S. Secret Service Employee Recreation Association (USSS-ERA) planned and sponsored this event.  One hundred percent of the funds raised by the participants came directly to COPS. COPS thanks Kam Flynn, Executive Director of the USSS-ERA, for handling everything for this event.

        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.  For further information, contact Kam Flynn, Executive Director, USSS-ERA via email at: usssera@verizon.net.

Looking for Good Seats in Boston for the Rolling Stones Concert Tour?

        COPS has partnered with Tickets-for-Charity, the exclusive online charitable ticketing partner of the Rolling Stones 2005-2006 US Tour. COPS will receive donations through the sale of a limited number of tickets in certain markets. Currently, a limited number of premium seats are available for the Friday, January 13, Rolling Stones concert at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.  Ticket prices include the face value and a fixed donation to COPS. To purchase your tickets and support COPS, please click here <http://www.nationalcops.org/forms/StonesTickets.pdf>, print out the order form, and follow the instructions for emailing or faxing.

Register Your Grocery, Debit and Credit Cards with eScrip to Benefit COPS

Here's How it Works    
        •               You register any one or all of your existing grocery loyalty, debit and credit cards for use in the program.   
        •               Participating merchants (whether on-line or in person) will make contributions to COPS, based on purchases made by you, just by using the cards you have registered.   
        •               Your purchases are tracked and available to you online, allowing you to see just how much you are earning for COPS!    
        During the registration process, you will register grocery cards, credit/debit cards and retail credit cards that you use for purchases. When you use any of these registered cards with a participating merchant partner, the merchant makes a contribution that goes to COPS. Remember to use your cards for every purchase(on-line and in person) and you will automatically earn money for COPS. Visit www.escrip.com to learn more about the program and to register your cards to benefit COPS.

Special COPS Fundraising Events and Programs

        Click here <http://www.nationalcops.org/SpecialThings.htm> for information on projects and events that benefit COPS.

Holiday Charity Gifts

        The holiday season is a time of giving. If your plans include a gift to charity, please consider COPS. COPS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible according to current IRS guidelines. Your gift will help COPS continue providing healing, love, and life renewed to the 14,000 surviving families of America's fallen law enforcement heroes. COPS' programs change lives, as evidenced in the following letter left on a website. This was written by a child who attended the 2005 "C.O.P.S. Kids" Summer Camp to her deceased father.

Hey Daddy, I miss you so much. I just got back from camp. It was full of kids about my age. This camp saved my life, Dad. I used to think I was alone and I didn’t think any other kids my age felt the same way. I met this one girl. She is the same as me. She didn't want to be there and she acted like she hated everyone, but the next day she told us that she feels stupid telling her mom that the camp saved her life and is going to come back next year because she loves it. I did a lot of stuff that I didn't think I could do. The girls and I got really close when the week was done. I came to realize that there are kids that feel the exact same way! I am so happy I went.

Why does COPS need your support?

        2004 Summer Camp cost $55,731           2005 Summer Camp cost $73,760  

                2004 Outward Bound cost $30,857         2005 Outward Bound cost $38,283

                2004 Siblings Retreat cost $36,359              2005 Siblings Retreat cost $39,627

                2004 Spouses Weekend cost $38,130       2005 Spouses Weekend cost $44,902

                2004 Parents' Retreat cost $44,371              2005 Parents' Retreat cost $46,308

                2004 Scholarships awarded $69,094       2005 Scholarships awarded $79,942

        Total costs for these programs in 2004 was $274,542. In 2005, the same programs cost $322,822, an increase of $48,280. Total costs for Adult Children and In-Laws Retreat are not yet finalized. Additionally, each year COPS expends about $280,000 for the National Police Survivors' Conference during National Police Week.

For Your Holiday Shopping

        How to Be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (Or Just in Your Class), written by Jay Leno and illustrated by S. B. Whitehead, was released by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, ISBN: 1-4169-0631. Proceeds from book sales are donated to COPS.        Use the link on this page <http://www.nationalcops.org/SpecialThings.htm> to purchase your copy at Amazon.com and COPS will benefit twice!

COPSstore Gift Ideas

        Check COPSstore.com <http://www.copsstore.com/> for unique gift ideas that allow you to show and share your support for COPS.  COPS 20th Anniversary Badge Sets are now available through COPSstore.com <http://www.copsstore.com/> and include $80.00 worth of bonus free merchandise. Custom Italian Charms make the perfect gift. Get your officer's initials or badge number engraved (see the website for examples). Also available are blank bracelets and blank key tags to start your charm collection. COPS logo embroidered sweatshirts and baseball caps are always a hit. Browse through the website and get some great ideas. Bookmark the COPSstore.com <http://www.copsstore.com/> site and check back often as some fantastic discounts will be offered between now and the end of the year.

We wish you and yours

a safe and peaceful holiday season!

Concerns of Police Survivors has been awarded the "Best in America" seal of approval from Independent Charities of America. The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the US Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.  Visit www.independentcharities.org

Charity Navigator has named Concerns of Police Survivors a Four Star Charity - "Exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its Cause." Visit www.charitynavigator.org.