Law Enforcement Memorial 2012

 Law Enforcement Memorial 2012

This year has been interesting in that my schedule had allowed me to visit law enforcement memorials and attend services for those killed in the line of duty.  Jo even participated in the Inaugural 1st Annual COPS Walk Southwest.  What a blessing it has been so far.  I am including some images from places visited this year and in the past.  I am also providing links to organizations that assist law enforcement and their families or have other connections.  Enjoy the images and please check out the organizations.

Arizona Concerns of Police Survivors

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.

http://www.arizonacops.org/

 Concerns of Police Survivors

C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 with 110 individual members. Today C.O.P.S. membership is over 15,000 families.  Members include spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, and affected co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty according to Federal government criteria.  C.O.P.S. is governed by a National Board of law enforcement survivors.  All programs and services are administered by the National Office in Camdenton, Missouri. Chapters function in several states at the grass-roots level.

http://www.nationalcops.org/

 "Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream."

—President George H.W. Bush

 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion."

—Proverbs 28:1

 "It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."

—Vivian Eney Cross, Survivor

 National Law Enforcement Memorial – Washington, D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.

http://www.nleomf.org/memorial/

Officer Fatality Update Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities: Preliminary 2012 Numbers as of May 30, 2012
	2012	2011	%Change
Total Fatalities	45	80	-44%
Firearms-related	16	35	-54%
Traffic-related	17	27	-37%
Other Causes	12	18	-33%

 100 Club of Arizona

“Supporting those behind the badge and their families…”

http://100club.org/

 Arizona Peace Officers Memorial – Phoenix, AZ

Every year, on the first Monday in May, the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board honors the officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice and their families.  The weekend prior to the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Service, the Board also hosts the Annual Peace Officers Memorial Charity Golf Tournament and the Annual Peace Officers Memorial 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run.  All proceeds of the event will assist with the annual Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Service. Every year the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board recognizes those officers that have made the “ultimate sacrifice”. The service allows current and past years survivors a time to join together to honor their fallen heroes.

http://www.azag.gov/law_enforcement/PeaceOfficerMemorial.html

 Officer Down Memorial Page

“Remembering All of Law Enforcement’s Heroes.”

http://www.odmp.org/

 Ray Rios Memorial – Douglas, AZ

The Ray Rios Fallen Officers Memorial is Located in Douglas Arizona. It is placed in honor and memory of our fallen heroes in Law Enforcement, Firefighting and EMS in Cochise County who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty- their lives.

http://rayriosmemorial.bbnow.org/index.php

 For me visiting the memorials is therapeutic and intense.  It is a time to reflect, remember, regret, and revere.  Of course it hits me personally due to my own losses.  My Dad, agency co-workers, and others who take up the call understand things a bit differently than the rest of the people, who in turn give the ultimate sacrifice.  I also feel for those who have been left behind to grieve and sort out the meaning of it all.  The lives lost and experiences affect all that are touched by the loss.  No one expects to not return from work, but all in this line of work know it is a possibility.   I have met a great number of incredible survivors and others who care greatly.

 "In valor there is hope."

—Tacitus