COPS Walk Southwest 2026 Memories
She began this journey back in 2012 when she took part in the very first COPS Walk Southwest to see if she could walk 25 miles over a weekend. She now has walked 400 miles including walks in Arizona, Harper’s Ferry and Walk to the Wall in DC.
Joellen walked for these fallen heroes:
Always first and foremost in my heart, is my father-in-law Leroy Dale Brown, Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, Arizona, killed in the line of duty on December 6, 1969, in Bowie, Arizona. Deputy Brown was shot and killed by a man he had arrested several months earlier. Deputy Leroy Brown was survived by his wife, two sons, parents, one brother and four sisters.
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
Martha Dixon Martinez – Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Government. End of Watch – November 22, 1994
Kent Donald Swanson - Sergeant, Shelley Police Department, Idaho. End of Watch – May 21, 2018
Burke Jevon Rhoads – Police Officer, Nicholasville Police Department, Kentucky. End of Watch – March 11, 2015
Darian Rey Jarrott – Patrolman, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico. End of Watch – February 4, 2021
Bradley Steven Henry Johnson – Deputy Sheriff, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama. End of Watch – June 30, 2022
Dillon Micheal Vakoff – Police Officer, Arvada Police Department, Colorado. End of Watch – September 11, 2022
Eric Jason Autobee - Correctional Sergeant, Colorado Department of Corrections, Colorado. End of Watch - October 18, 2002
Mary Katherine Ricard - Sergeant, Colorado Department of Corrections, Colorado. End of Watch - September 24, 2012
Thomas Lynn Clements - Executive Director, Colorado Department of Corrections, Colorado. End of Watch - March 19, 2013
Lisa Mauldin - Corrections Officer, Miller County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas. End of Watch - December 19, 2016
T.C. walked for the following fallen:
Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown
Cochise County Sheriff's Department, AZ
EOW: Saturday, December 6, 1969
Cause of Death: Gunfire
I walked for several officers that are connected by attending COPS Hands-on programs with fellow Adult Children. A.C.s ROCK! Meeting these survivors and thrivers taught me I was not alone in my thoughts and grief. This list is only a short version of the many folks I have met. We are all connected in this club none of us wanted to join. I walked because these officer’s sacrifice matters.
Police Officer Stanley J. Jerlecki
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: Friday, December 14, 1951
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Clifton T. Miller
Rossford Police Department, OH
EOW: Saturday, May 14, 1966
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Officer Edward James Parker
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Sunday, February 6, 1972
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrol Officer David J. Tolsma
Cheektowaga Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, October 20, 1977
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sergeant Stuart J. Searles
Sauk County Sheriff's Department, WI
EOW: Sunday, June 10, 1984
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Corporal James A. Ross
Mammoth Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch: Friday, June 10, 1988
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patrolman Jack G. Martin
Lynden Police Department, WA
EOW: Tuesday, August 9, 1988
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Deputy Sheriff Robert William Varner, Jr.
Navajo County Sheriff's Office, AZ
EOW: Monday, January 2, 1989
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Sunny Ma Lov
Dallas Police Department, TX
EOW: Sunday, November 4, 1990
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Officer Miguel T. Soto
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: Wednesday, June 22, 1994
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Robert “Tim” Buckman
Macksville Police Department, KS
EOW: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Cause of Death: Weather/Natural disaster
Police Chief Randy J. Boykin
Enterprise Police Department, Mississippi
End of Watch: Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Cause of Death: Struck by Vehicle
Deputy Director Carolyn Ann Cross
District of Columbia Department of Corrections, DC
EOW: Sunday, September 7, 2014
Cause of Death: Assault
Location: Virginia
Greetings one and all!
This weekend was the COPS Walk SW 2026 in Buckeye, AZ. I'm here to report that we made it the entire 25 miles and seem to be pretty well recovered from the adventure.
This year, we had the pleasure of son Leroy flying out from Wisconsin to join us on the trail and he also helped COPS out a bit on Saturday. What an amazing blessing that was to have him along for the journey. He then spent a few days with us at home. Yay us!
This Walk brought me to 400 miles, can you believe that??!! I remember way back in 2012 that I only wanted to try it once to see if I could actually walk 25 miles over the two days. Crazy me just kept on going.
This year, I had a rough day 2, mostly feet related. I ended up with three blisters that were in totally different places than they had been in the past. Also, my left ankle got a little ticked off, though not from anything odd, like a twist or such. After ankle issues a number of years ago, I usually carry my ankle brace with me on these walks. Silly me left it in the hotel room, so I pushed on through. The other issue was the warm temp, so by mile 21, I was totally ready to be done.
TC did well, not a blister in sight! We walked the entire route together and ended up almost as the "caboose" at the finish line. But by golly, we made it!! My favorite Buckeye PD cadet crossed the finish line with the two of us, she's been along for this journey for the last 4 years, wow!
As a team (the Desert Rats), TC and I raised $4,720!! Thank you one and all for your support, many of you along for the ride for my 400 miles. You have been an amazing group of donors, and I so very much appreciate you!! My total raised for these 16 COPS Walks is somewhere around $53,000!! You rock!!
On that note, I have been saying the last few years that I would "retire" at 400 miles. Well, here I am. I told the group the same thing at the dinner on Saturday night. I don't think they expected that, and a few of them are dreaming that I will change my mind. I don't expect to come out of retirement, but if I do, I know you will be by my side.
So, thank you, once again, for your support, cheering and prayers. I so very much appreciate each and every one of you! This journey has been fantastic, fun, tough, emotional, achy, crazy, amazing, humbling, and filled with so many blessings. I'm glad I was crazy and kept going!!
Sending love to all,
Joellen and TC
That is it! We are hanging up our Hokas! Thanks to the awesome support over the years! Special thanks to Leroy Dale Brown II for coming out and walking with us in Buckeye. You made it extra special.
2 comments:
Fantastic journey my dear friend! Thank you for your dedication and passion. You are truly a Rock Star! ⭐️
You are awesome. Thanks for the kind words.
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