COPS Walk SW 2015
We spent the last full weekend of February in
Phoenix at the Concerns of Police Survivors fundraiser. This was the 4th Annual COPS Walk Southwest. About 30 fantastic participants walked 12.5
miles each day for a total of 25 miles for the weekend. In total, over $78,000 was raised for the C.O.P.S. Hands-On
Programs, which provides Law Enforcement survivors grief counseling and much
needed support. It was an incredible weekend with great people. It was great to see old friends and make new
ones!
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| This shot had to be included... You really had to be there. |
Thanks to all of the walkers, sponsors, supporters, and the media
for the coverage. I was fortunate to be
asked back as the official photographer again.
Another 400+ images from this great event. What an honor and privilege!
Arizona Concerns of Police Survivors
“The Arizona Chapter of 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.”
Remembering Arizona's 2014 Fallen
Heroes
Phoenix
Police Detective John Hobbs, EOW: Monday, March 3, 2014
Salt
River Police Officer Jair Cabrera, E.O.W. Saturday, May 24, 2014
Border
Patrol Agent Alexander Giannini, E.O.W. Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Chandler
Police Officer David Payne, E.O.W. Friday, October 31, 2014
Navajo
Division of Public Safety Officer Ernest Montoya, EOW: Sunday, November 30,
2014
Flagstaff
Police Officer Tyler Stewart, E.O.W. Saturday, December 27, 2014
ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL.
Concerns of Police Survivors
“Each year, between 140 and 160
officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are
left to cope with the tragic loss. C.O.P.S. provides resources to help them
rebuild their shattered lives. There is no membership fee to join C.O.P.S., for
the price paid is already too high.
C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 with
110 individual members. Today C.O.P.S. membership is over 30,000 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. C.O.P.S. has over 50 Chapters
nationwide that work with survivors at the grass-roots level.
C.O.P.S. programs for survivors
include the National Police Survivors' Conference held each May during National
Police Week, scholarships, peer-support at the national, state, and local
levels, "C.O.P.S. Kids" counseling reimbursement program, the
"C.O.P.S. Kids" Summer Camp, "C.O.P.S. Teens" Outward Bound
experience for young adults, special retreats for spouses, parents, siblings,
adult children, in-laws, and co-workers, trial and parole support, and other
assistance programs.
C.O.P.S. knows that a survivor's
level of distress is directly affected by the agency's response to the tragedy.
C.O.P.S., therefore, offers training and assistance to law enforcement agencies
nationwide on how to respond to the tragic loss of a member of the law
enforcement profession. C.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
C.O.P.S. programs and services are funded by grants and donations.”
Preliminary 2015 Law Enforcement Officer
Fatalities
Jan. 1 through Feb. 25, 2015 vs. Jan. 1 through
Feb. 25, 2014
2015
2014 % Change
Total Fatalities 14 18 -22%
Firearms-related 1 5 -80%
Traffic-related 8 8 0%
Other Causes 5 5 0%
Please note: These numbers reflect total officer fatalities
comparing
Jan. 1 through Feb. 25, 2015 vs. Jan. 1 through Feb. 25, 2014
2015 Fatalities by State
Alabama 2
Louisiana 2
Texas 2
Colorado 1
Kansas 1
Maryland 1
Mississippi 1
New Jersey 1
Oklahoma 1
Tennessee 1
Federal Agencies: 0
Military: 0
U.S. Territories: 1
Tribal: 0
Click on the links below to view videos and read stories about this
great event!
“A
physical challenge, an emotional high, and the opportunity to help C.O.P.S. We never walk alone.”
Here are links to some of my other Law Enforcement
themed blogs:
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| Shelly and Shelley... |
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| Foot repair at the start of day 2. |
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| No idea how they jump after all those miles! |
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| Another one of those shots that just had to be included... |
A Part Of America Died
Somebody killed a policeman today, and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect will be buried with him
at his side.
The suspect that shot him will stand up in court, with counsel
demanding his rights.
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids, and spend many
long, lonely nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield too, just as if he'd gone
off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half-mast, to his name
they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today, in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors, a cop put his
life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street, and he stands at
each new rookie's side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all, And A Part Of
America Died.
Here are some that are remembered:
Read more about Leroy Brown:
You can also check out TC's photo blog from our
trip to National Police Week 2009 at http://tcbphoto.blogspot.com/2009/06/national-police-week-2009.html
Other Fallen Officers I would like to honor and
remember for their sacrifice:
Osvaldo Albarati – Lieutenant, Federal Bureau of
Prisons, U.S. Government. End of Watch -
February 26, 2013
Eric Williams - Senior Officer Specialist, Federal
Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government. End
of Watch - February 25, 2013
Samuel Steele Hicks – Special Agent, Federal Bureau
of Investigation, U.S. Government. End of Watch – November 19, 2008
Jose Rivera – Correctional Officer, Federal Bureau
of Prisons, U.S. Government. End of Watch – June 20, 2008
Erik David Hite – Police Officer, Tucson Police
Department, Arizona. End of Watch – June 2, 2008
Jason Schwartz – Deputy Sheriff, Fremont County
Sheriff’s Office, Colorado. End of Watch – September 28, 2001
Scott James Williams – Senior Officer Specialist,
Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government. End of Watch – April 3, 1997
Manuel Hurtado Tapia – Sergeant, Arizona Department
of Public Safety. End of Watch – January 8, 1991
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| A great group of people!!! |
Thanks for looking until the end!
9 comments:
Super job to both of you!! What a deserving cause.
Tom & Deb Beneze
Outstanding photos, captured the weekend wonderfully! And what a great group of folks and an honor to walk with them. Sigh.
Joellen
These are fabulous! What a great job you did!
Grace
Thanks for the comments of for viewing.
Fun pics!
Julie
TC and JoEllen... great job to you both. One for the photos the other for completing 100 miles for this cause. Congratulations!
As always your photos are great
Toni
Some great photos and some of the pictures gave me goosebumps. Amy G.
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