Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.

COPS

Contact:  Terrie Merritt
Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS)
P.O. Box 3199 ** South Highway 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
Phone  (573) 346-4911 ** Fax (573) 346-1414
Electronic mail:   cops@nationalcops.org
Visit our Web Site:  www.nationalcops.org

• For Immediate Release

Press Release
COPS Grants $34,522 in Scholarships for Spring Semester

Over $668,000 Has Been Awarded by COPS Since 1993


 

        Camdenton, MO, December 12, 2005 - Twenty-five scholarships totaling $34,522 were recently awarded by Concerns of Police Survivors for the Winter/Spring 2005-06 Semester. Since COPS began the Scholarship Program in 1993, COPS has helped 203 law enforcement survivors in 44 states and territories with $668,102 in educational assistance. This year alone, COPS has awarded $81,050 in scholarships to surviving spouses and children of America's fallen law enforcement officers.

        Each semester, through generous support from the Aronson Family Foundation, one COPS Aronson Family Foundation Scholarship is awarded. This semester, Kristopher Williams of Brillion, WI, received that award. Kristopher is the son of Calumet (WI) Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Williams, End-of-Watch 06-08-1993. Kristopher is a senior at Luther College in Decorah, IA, and will graduate in the spring with a double major in math and computer science. He plans to pursue graduate studies in math at either the University of Iowa or the University of Minnesota.

        The Board of Directors of the Aronson Family Foundation is committed to insuring that the sacrifices of America's fallen law enforcement officers and their families are never forgotten. The Aronson Family Foundation has given generously to the COPS Scholarship Program since 1998, with total contributions to date of $70,500.

        Two COPS scholarships were funded through a  generous donation by comedian and The Tonight Show host Jay Leno. Mr. Leno has donated proceeds of his book, How to Be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (Or Just in Your Class) to COPS. Sisters Whitney and Lauren Winn of Encinitas, CA, received these scholarships. The girls' father, Alan Winn, was a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency when he was killed 08-13-1991.

        Whitney Winn is in her final semester at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where she will graduate in May with a degree in linguistics. She plans to pursue a Master's degree in library science. COPS has helped Whitney through her college years with the lifetime maximum assistance of $12,000 from COPS.

        Lauren Winn is in her first year at the University of California at Davis. She plans to major in film studies and minor in history. Her future plans include a job in the film industry or working as a high school history teacher.

        Other recipients of COPS scholarships this semester are:
        Ali Agy-Bechtel is a speech communication major at Cy-Fair College in Cypress, Texas. Ali's dad is Wilburn Agy, Liberty County (TX) Sheriff's Office, End-of-Watch 04-05-1995.

        Karen Barnhart has returned to school now that her children are grown. She is working toward an associate's degree at North County Community College in Ticonderoga, NY. Karen is the surviving spouse of Lewiston (ME) Police Officer David Payne, End-of-Watch 07-23-1988.

        Karen and David's son, Evan Barnhart, is also receiving financial assistance from COPS. Evan is a student at Tennessee Temple University in Chattonooga, TN, where he is studying to become a high school history teacher and coach.

        Megan Bolhouse is a junior at Florida State University in Cape Coral, FL. She was recently admitted into the College of Education in preparation for her degree in elementary education. Megan's dad is Ft. Myers (FL) Police Officer Mark Bolhouse, End-of-Watch 01-19-1988.

        Brandie Croker is enrolled at Blue Cliff College in Mauma, LA, where she is completing a certification course in medical assisting. Brandie's dad is Deputy Billy Wayne McIntosh with the Calcasieu Parrish Sheriff's Office, End-of-Watch 10-01-1997.

        Sabrina Gunderson is attending classes at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN, for a degree in child development. Sabrina's dad is Ostego County (MI) Sheriff's Deputy Carl Darling, Jr., End-of-Watch 05-03-1986.

        Anna Maria Hayes, surviving spouse of Cheraw (SC) Police Officer Gilbert Halma, End-of-Watch 06-26-1998, has also now reached the lifetime maximum assistance from COPS. She is working toward a degree in business administration at Greensboro College in  Greensboro, NC.

        Andrea Huffman has nearly completed the requirements to become a registered radiologic technologist at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL. Andrea is the surviving spouse of  Birmingham Police Officer John Huffman, End-of-Watch 05-21-1992.

        Niles J. Johantgen is a pre-med student at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. Niles is the son of Atlanta (GA) Police Officer Niles F. Johantgen, End-of-Watch 12-21-1991.

        Therese Justus is another survivor who has now received the maximum educational assistance from COPS. Therese is completing requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, PA. She is the daughter of West Taylor Township (PA) Police Officer Herman Justus, End-of-Watch 05-05-1990.

        Alexa Kulpa is enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, shere she is concentrating on baking and pastry arts. Her stepfather is Gary Friedli, a Special Agent with the US Customs Service, End-of-Watch 03-04-1998.

        Jennifer McElderry is a freshman at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, IA, where she is studying criminal justice. Her father is Davis County (IA) Sheriff's Deputy Dennis McElderry, End-of-Watch 01-03-2003.

        Christine Miller will graduate in May from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, with a degree in family and consumer science education. She is the daughter of Kansas City (MO) Police Officer Phillip Miller, End-of-Watch 12-13-1983.

        Jason Miller is in his first year at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA. He is planning to major in criminal justice. Jason is the stepson of Fremont County (IA) Sheriff's Deputy Gilbert Androy, End-of-Watch 10-15-1997.

        Megan O'Brien is about a year from graduating from Brown College in Mendota Heights, MN, with a degree in criminal justice. Megan is the daughter of St. Paul (MN) Police Officer John O'Brien, End-of-Watch 04-16-1981.

        Natasha Palmer is a freshman at the Art Institute of Atlanta in Atlanta, GA, where she is studying interior design. Natasha's dad is Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Officer Alvin Palmer, End-of-Watch 04-12-1995.

        Bennetta Sanders will graduate in July from Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC, with a two-year degree in business administration/human resources management. Bennetta is the surviving spouse of Prince George's County (MD) Police Officer Ryan Johnson, End-of-Watch 04-22-1992.

        Constance Searles-Myers is enrolled at the University of Phoenix where she is studying business management. Constance is the daughter of Sauk County (WI) Sheriff's Deputy Stuart Searles, End-of-Watch 06-10-1984.

        Priscilla Titus has returned to school with assistance from COPS. She is majoring in psychology at the University of Memphis. Priscilla is the surviving spouse of Memphis (TN) Police Officer Marlon Titus, End-of-Watch 03-30-2004.

        Gina Vinecourt will be a licensed massage practitioner when she completes her course in August at the Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle, WA. Gina is the daughter of Kitsap County (WA) Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Allred, End-of-Watch 04-19-1978.

        Brooke Wagner is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Brooke is the daughter of Nebraska State Trooper Mark Wagner, End-of-Watch 03-04-1999.

        Stephanie Williams is working toward an associate's degree at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI. Her father is Detroit Police Officer Anthony Williams, End-of-Watch 07-20-1986.

        COPS Scholarships are awarded three times per year. The deadline to apply for assistance for the Summer Semester is April 15, 2006. For criteria information and an application, visit www.nationalcops.org/serv05.htm. For more information about Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., or to help support COPS’ programs, contact COPS at (573) 346-4911, or e-mail cops@nationalcops.org.  Visit the COPS website at www.nationalcops.org.

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