logo5Concerns of Police Survivors
Monthly Email NewsletterJanuary 2011
In This Issue
New CEO
Holiday Memorials
Traumas of Law Enforcement
C.O.P.S. National Board
C.O.P.S. Awards
National Police Week 2011
Suzie Sawyer Circus
National Police Week Sponsorships
Letter
Featured Sponsor
 
Blue Knights Copsrun 
The Blue Knights COPSRUN, which rides into National Police Week, has donated $180,248 to C.O.P.S. since 1997. They co-sponsor the final event during National Police Week that lifts spirits of survivors who have attended the week's activities.
 
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C.O.P.S. hopes you have a Happy New Year!
C.O.P.S. New CEO Starts January 10, 2011 

Mariah HughesMariah Hughes of Potosi, Missouri, will begin her new position as C.O.P.S. Chief Executive Officer on January 10 to oversee the organization. 

 

"Ms. Hughes' background and experience are impressive and they match the requirements for the Chief Executive Officer. The board is confident that her unique background, energetic leadership style, management expertise, and operational skills are exactly what C.O.P.S. needs to lead our organization," said Linda Moon Gregory, C.O.P.S. National President.

 

Since 2002, Hughes has served on the Executive Management Team as Director of Sales and Development for the YMCA Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood, a unique branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis. During her eight years with Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood, changes she implemented resulted in significantly expanded use of the facility's outdoor education resources. Hughes also developed and found funding for ambitious new programs that included an award-winning nature center and a trap and skeet range designed to introduce beginners to shooting sports. "From fundraising, budgeting and capital improvements to teaching archery, building a shotgun range, and working with an incredibly talented staff, I've had a hand in just about every aspect of the facility's operation over the last eight years," said Hughes.

 

Hughes became familiar with C.O.P.S. when she worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation and a colleague suggested she meet with C.O.P.S. to explore ways to develop outdoor skills activities for the C.O.P.S. Kids Summer Camp that was being held at Lake Ozarks State Park.  As a result, today outdoor challenges are presented at all C.O.P.S. Hands-On Programs. The challenges these activities present to the participants at the retreats rebuild the self-esteem that is often destroyed with the sudden, violent death of a loved one.

 

Suzie Sawyer stated, "When I retire in May 2011, I know C.O.P.S. will be in good hands.  Mariah believes in many of the same things that I have promoted.  She knows there is great healing power in nature, expanding personal boundaries, and overcoming personal challenges.  The organization, with Mariah at the helm, will continue to challenge survivors to keep healing and experience great personal growth through this wonderful organization known as C.O.P.S."

 

Sawyer will officially leave the organization on May 16, 2011.  

Holiday Memorials 
Christmas Tree 2010Each year National C.O.P.S. provides survivors the opportunity to make holiday contributions in memory of their fallen officer. For each donation, a special ornament is placed on the Christmas tree in the National Office. This year, a commemorative ornament was placed in memory of the fallen officer for each donation of $100 or more. A crystal star was placed on the tree for all other donations. 

The commemorative ornaments will be mailed after the New Year to those survivors who contributed $100 or more for their future personal use. A total amount for the holiday memorial donations will be given in January and announced in the next email newsletter.
Traumas of Law Enforcement Training 2011
Below are the dates and locations for C.O.P.S. "Traumas of Law Enforcement" trainings. There are 7 trainings to be presented in January, February, and March 2011. There is no cost to attend the trianings; however, registration is mandatory. If you are a survivor and feel your agency needs this training, you can personally request a flyer be sent to the agency through the National Office at 573-346-4911 or [email protected]. Additional details on the trainings and online registration is available at www.nationalcops.org.

January 10-12, 2011
Abilene, Texas
Registration Deadline: Call C.O.P.S. to Attend

January 24-26, 2011
Dublin (Oakland), California
Registration Deadline: Class is Full

January 31- February 2, 2011
Manchester, New Hampshire
Registration Deadline: January 7, 2011
 
February 7-9, 2011
Jacksonville, Florida
Registration Deadline: January 7, 2011

February 28- March 2, 2011
Bartlett (Memphis), Tennessee
Registration Deadline: January 28, 2011

March 14-16, 2011
Fairfax, Virginia
Registration Deadline: February 28, 2011

March 28-30, 2011
Madison, Wisconsin
Registration Deadline: February 28, 2011

A grant to C.O.P.S. from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice will fund the "Traumas of Law Enforcement" trainings in 2011. C.O.P.S. would like to thank BJA for its support of the trainings which are now in their 16th year of existence. This highly-acclaimed training is often said to be "the best training I've had in my law enforcement career"!
Interested in Running for the C.O.P.S. National Board? 
If you are a law enforcement survivor and have gotten to the place where you want to give back to other survivors and Concerns of Police Survivors, you might want to consider running for a position on the C.O.P.S. National Board. Individuals must file a letter of intent by February 1, 2011 (no exceptions to this deadline) with C.O.P.S. Immediate Past President Jean Hill. If you have questions, call her at 281-788-5002 or email [email protected].
Deadline for Nominations for C.O.P.S. Awards- February 1, 2011 
Distinguished Service Award: This award is the highest recognition bestowed by Concerns of Police Survivors. The award is presented annually to an active or retired law enforcement officer/official or organization for services above and beyond the call of duty when addressing police survivor issues. The law enforcement officer/official or organization must be nominated by a law enforcement officer, survivor, or police family member. They cannot, however, be nominated by a member of their own family.

Todd Ricks Award for Volunteerism: Each year C.O.P.S. recognizes an individual who volunteers services to the organization and has contributed greatly to C.O.P.S.' programs with the Todd Ricks Award for Volunteerism. This award is named for Todd Ricks, a U.S. Park Police Motorcycle Officer. Officer Ricks coordinated the motorcycle efforts during National Police Week for several years and was the inaugural recipient of the award. Todd's efforts helped National Police Week events, including all C.O.P.S. activities, run as smoothly as  possible by organizing motorcycle escorts for buses to all events.

Chapter of the Year Award: The National Board of Concerns of Police Survivors recognizes one chapter each year that has demonstrated a cooperative effort in working with National C.O.P.S., provided services to its membership locally, and focused on meeting the mission of C.O.P.S. Any chapter that feels it meets or exceeds these goals may submit a self nomination. This is the seventh year of this award. Past Chapter of the Year Awards: 2010 Washington State C.O.P.S.; 2009 Southern California C.O.P.S.; 2008 New Jersey Survivors of the Triangle; 2007 Indiana C.O.P.S.; 2006 Michigan C.O.P.S.; and 2005 Northeast Florida C.O.P.S.

Check C.O.P.S. website for criteria for these awards and forward your nominations to [email protected]. Call Lori at 573-346-4911 for more information.
National Police Week 2011 Information  
Plans for National Police Week 2011 are coming together and the National Police Week invitations should be mailed in late January. Online registration will be available at www.nationalcops.org in late January and is highly encouraged.

C.O.P.S. will welcome 2010 survivors, any past year survivors, the official Memorial Service Escort Officer, and the agency head to complete an application for hotel rooms at official National Police Week hotels. All other officers should contact Eileen Haines with their hotel needs at 301-865-1631 or [email protected]

Returning survivors will not be able to register for National Police Week or make hotel reservations through C.O.P.S. after March 25, 2011.

To help survivors "save the dates" for National Police Week 2011, here is information on the week's activities. Please note that some of the dates for national activities actually come before the official dates of National Police Week 2011. 

Official Dates of National Police Week 2011 are Sunday, May 15 through Saturday, May 21. 

Washington, DC, Activities and Dates:

Thursday, May 12: Early arrival day

Friday, May 13: Official arrival day, National Police Week Check-In, and Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Saturday, May 14: First day of National Police Survivors' Conference, C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens activities, and the Suzie Sawyer Circus celebrating her 27 years of service to C.O.P.S.

Sunday, May 15: The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the West Front of the United States Capitol

Monday, May 16: Second day of the National Police Survivors' Conference, C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens activities, and a Hoedown at the Hilton

Tuesday, May 17: Official departure day
Suzie Sawyer Circus 
Everyone is invited to celebrate her 27 years of service to C.O.P.S. at the "Suzie Sawyer Circus" on Saturday, May 14, at the Hilton Alexandria Hotel. For more information on tickets and the event visit www.nationalcops.org in late January or contact Jennifer Thacker at [email protected] or 502-494-4246. 

Suzie Sawyer Circus

National Police Week 2011 Sponsorship Opportunities  
There are sponsorship opportunities for events presented by Concerns of Police Survivors. To learn more visit http://www.nationalcops.org/survivorsforms/SponsorForm.pdf.
Letter to C.O.P.S. National Office

Hello, my name is Jordan. I am a 9th grader doing a self-directed project where I create a project that makes a difference. My dad is a police officer in Auburn, Washington. Around this time last year, when 6 local police officers were killed in the line of duty, I had a really hard time. So for my project I am going to be providing blue lights, in support of Project Blue Light and Law Enforcement, and in return I am going to ask for donations. At the end of the season, I would like to donate all of the money that I raise to C.O.P.S.

 

Thank You, Jordan