September 2004
COPS’ retreat for the surviving siblings of America’s fallen law enforcement officers will be September 17-20 at the YMCA’s Trout Lodge in Shirley, Missouri. Attendance this year will be almost double the 42 who participated last year, with 72 surviving siblings registered to attend.
Spouses Weekend will be September 24-27 at the same facility. There are 85 surviving spouses registered to attend, compared to 69 who attended last year.
So far, 91 are registered to attend COPS 9th annual Parents’ Retreat October 1-4 at Windermere Conference Center near Camdenton, MO; however, 130 is our expected attendance.
The registration deadlines are fast approaching for the following COPS’ programs:
Adult Children’s Retreat, October 15-18, registration deadline September 15.
In-Laws Retreat, October 22 – 25, registration deadline September 22.
Registration forms are available at www.nationalcops.org. The only cost to attending survivors is their transportation to and from Missouri. Streamlight, Inc. is once again providing three travel assistance grants for each program. A “Request for Travel Assistance” (also on the website) can be submitted with the registration form if travel costs are a financial hardship.
COPS’ 20th Anniversary Memorabilia is Perfect for Holiday Gift Giving
As the holiday season approaches, consider COPS’ 20th Anniversary commemorative badges, coins, and lapel pins for gifts. Prices of these items will increase in 2005, when COPS’ 20th Anniversary year is over and they become more valuable as collectibles. Order now for holiday gift giving. Any law enforcement officer would appreciate these beautiful collector’s pieces. Badges are $59.00 each; the pin is just $10.00; the coin is $15.00. Or you can purchase all three displayed inside a beautiful velvet-lined case for $80.00 Shipping via first class mail is included in these prices. An order form can be found on the COPS website at http://www.nationalcops.org/forms.htm.
2005 The Traumas of Law Enforcement Dates, Locations Set
Seven sessions of COPS’ acclaimed three-day training, The Traumas of Law Enforcement, will be presented in early 2005. Registration forms are not yet available, but the cities and dates for the trainings are set. They are: San Jose, CA, January 10-12; Everett, WA, January 24-26; El Paso, TX, January 31-February 2; Virginia Beach, VA, February 7-9; Moline, IL, March 7-9; Allegheny, PA, March 14-16; and Slidell, LA, March 21-23. Registration is mandatory and registration forms will be on the COPS website after October 1.
The Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, recently announced awarding a grant for $48,908 to Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. This grant was awarded under the Action Partnerships with Membership and Professional Organizations initiative to develop or improve the capacity of members of national professional and membership organizations to advance victims’ rights and improve services.
Funds will be used for COPS’ 2005 Board/Chapter Training session, which will be held at the YMCA Facility in Potosi, MO. The training will be conducted by Christine Edmunds, a nationally recognized victims’ advocate, and Angela McCown, Director, Victims Services, TX Department of Public Safety. It is expected that 65 members of COPS, all law enforcement survivors, will take this training. Upon their return home, the trainees will respond to incidents of law enforcement death, and will also be used by local victim services organization to provide support to the general public when sudden, violent death occurs.
American Justice to Air Documentary on Cop-Killer
The family of Stark County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Streicher, Toulon, Illinois, has advised COPS that American Justice, on cable’s A&E Network, will air a documentary on Deputy Streicher’s murderer. Deputy Streicher was one of three people killed on March 22, 2002, by Curtis Thompson. Tentatively titled “The Bully of Toulon”, the show will probably air October 20, but could be moved ahead or back by up to two weeks. Watch your television listings.
Workplace charity campaigns kick-off in the fall. Please consider participating in this easy payroll-deduction method of supporting COPS. If you are a Federal employee or part of the United Way of the National Capital Area, look for COPS as #1209. If you are part of a different local United Way campaign, check with the campaign manager to see if COPS is a participating agency and, if not, ask if you can select COPS as your Donor Choice charity. COPS is a participating agency in most state employee campaigns as well.
Get your order in now for COPS holiday cards and Project Blue Light vinyl static window clings. COPS will begin shipping orders in October in plenty of time for the holiday season. The order blank can be found at www.nationalcops.org/XmasCards2004.pdf.
Reminder - The COPS National Office will be closed on Labor Day, September 6.