Wednesday, February 25, 2015

COPS Walk SW 2015

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!

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:










Shelly and Shelley...
Foot repair at the start of day 2.
No idea how they jump after all those miles!


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




A great group of people!!!
Thanks for looking until the end!