C.O.P.S. held its annual Kids Summer Camp at the Salvation Army Lake Camp in East Troy, Wisconsin, July 26-August 1, 2010. The weeklong camp was held for surviving children ages 6-14 and their parent/guardian of America's fallen law enforcement heroes killed in the line of duty. The campers participated in grief counseling, swimming, fishing, crafts, skits, singing, and numerous other camp activities.

 

This year, 229 survivors attended C.O.P.S. Kids Camp, bringing the attendance to an all-time high. With an average cost of $625 per survivor, it also means that expenses will reach a new all-time high of $150,000.

 

The camp's major donor this year was Law Enforcement United, a new organization of Federal, State and Local law enforcement officers, as well as civilian support members, who made a 250-mile bicycle journey, dubbed the Road to Hope, from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Washington, DC. LEU donated $110,000 to C.O.P.S. for the Kids Camp. Several other long-time donors helped C.O.P.S. meet the additional cost of camp:  Northeast Florida C.O.P.S., Wisconsin C.O.P.S., Greater Milwaukee Foundation, New Berlin Volunteer Fire Department Fund, Journey for Jay, Streamlight®, and Bureau of Justice Assistance.

C.O.P.S. held its annual Outward Bound® Adventure of mountain climbing in Leadville, Colorado, July 26-August 1, 2010. The weeklong experience was for surviving children ages 15-20 of America's fallen law enforcement heroes killed in the line of duty. Outward Bound® is an adventure-based program and this year's experience took place nestled against the two highest peaks in the Rockies, bordering a national forest.

 

This year 34 teenaged survivors attended, traveling in from all across the country, at an average cost of $1,733 per person.  

The 4th Annual Missouri Conservation Agents Association 4-person scramble golf tournament was held on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Old Kinderhook Golf Course to benefit C.O.P.S. In the brutal heat, 37 teams took to the course to enjoy friendly competition for a great cause. Memorial flags bearing the pictures of fallen law enforcement officers lined the cart paths, driving home the purpose of the event to support the surviving spouses of officers killed in the line of duty. Over $45,000 was raised with the help of more than 20 major sponsors and 148 golfers. 
 
"The event was an overwhelming success, and the most rewarding aspect was the fact that we have people traveling from New Jersey, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, and Kansas to take part in what we hope will become the 'C.O.P.S. Classic' in the next few years.  We'd love to see golfers from all across the country visit the Lake Area to support C.O.P.S.' cause," said Suzie Sawyer, Executive Director and co-founder of C.O.P.S.
 
Proceeds from the tournament will help fund C.O.P.S.' Surviving Spouses' Getaway to be held September 17-20, 2010.  Over 100 surviving spouses from across the country will gather at Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri, for a weekend filled with counseling, peer support, physical challenges, and outdoor activities led by agents from the Missouri Department of Conservation.  

 

5 Hands-On Programs left in 2010:

 

Siblings Retreat- September 10-13, 2010- Potosi, MO

Spouses Retreat- September 17-20, 2010- Potosi, MO

Affected Co-Workers Retreat- October 1-4, 2010- Potosi, MO

In-Laws Retreat- October 15-18, 2010- Potosi, MO

Parents Retreat- October 29- November 1, 2010- Little Rock, AR

 

The 2010 COPS Walk will be here before we know it. Many participants are already busy fundraising for this annual event. If you would like to make a donation, many COPS Walkers have set up donation pages on Razoo.com. Donate to your favorite walker today! This year's COPS Walk will be held October 9 and 10 in Harpers' Ferry, WV. The COPS Walk is a physically challenging and emotionally rewarding experience as you walk 25 miles in 2 days with other law enforcement survivors.

 

Would you like to help raise money for COPS Walk 2010 but just can't get out of bed to be there?

Consider becoming a Sleep walker for the COPS Walk this year! Sleep walkers who raise $1,000 or more will receive the official COPS Walk 2010 gift, a pillow case identifying you as a Sleep walker, acknowledgement in the COPS Walk thank you ad in the winter C.O.P.S. newsletter, and the feeling of satisfaction that you helped C.O.P.S. continue its mission of rebuilding shattered lives.

 

To learn more, visit www.nationalcops.org. 

C.O.P.S. Board/Chapter training was held July 15-18 at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, MO. The mandatory training was held for C.O.P.S.' 51 chapters nationwide. At the training, chapter representatives learned about the paperwork required of chapters, issues volunteers need to know about running a nonprofit organization, and how to develop a healthy C.O.P.S. Chapter. C.O.P.S. had 79 attend the training along with 6 C.O.P.S. staffers. 

If you missed the webcast on July 20, it is now available online. Kirk Clark, an affected co-worker, tells his incredible story and Linda Moon Gregory, C.O.P.S. National President, explained how Concerns of Police Survivors is providing resources to America's law enforcement affected co-workers. Click here to view the webcast.

 

 

Visit www.nationalcops.org for information on the October 1-4, 2010, Affected Co-Workers Retreat.

The Foundation for Improvement of Justice announced Suzie Sawyer, C.O.P.S. Executive Director, as one of the recipients of  the 2010 Paul H. Chapman Award. Suzie Sawyer of Camdenton, Missouri, is recognized for her work with Concerns of Police Survivors. Ms. Sawyer is a co-founder and the Executive Director of C.O.P.S. whose mission is to rebuild the shattered lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

 

Each winner will receive the Paul H. Chapman medal, a certificate of appreciation, a commendation bar pin, and a check for $10,000, to be presented at the Foundation's awards banquet on September 25, 2010.

 

Congratulations Suzie!

 

C.O.P.S. Scholarship Application- Winter/Spring Semester -Application is due September 30th.

Dearest C.O.P.S.,
 
July 23rd marked one year of my husband's passing. Remembering your kindness, we will ALWAYS be grateful for the support you have continued to give. National Police Week was beyond words. With faith, family, friends, and organization's such as C.O.P.S. my children and I are keeping our spirits high. Our Sincerest Thank You.

 

-- Rosalie Rosas, surviving spouse of Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, Jr.

Visit COPSstore for merchandise. Roll Call items are available in several colors of short sleeve t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts and crew neck and hooded sweatshirts.  All C.O.P.S. merchandise can be found at http://www.COPSstore.com. COPSstore has been your official source for C.O.P.S. merchandise since 1992.

Concerns of Police Survivors has been awarded the "Best in America" seal of approval from Independent Charities of America.