Concerns Of Police Survivors (COPS) - Give Some To Those Who Gave ALL.Mar 06 '09 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line COPS provides peer support to survivors of officers killed in the line of duty. We should support them supporting families who have given their loved one in our defense. This may be one of the hardest reviews I have written. It's personal. There is a Memorial in Washington DC called the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. If there were only one name on that wall representing a friend or co-worker of mine, it would be too many. Unfortunately, I know several of the names etched on that Memorial. They were giving friends who sacrificed everything for our communities. One friend was shot while wearing his protective vest while struggling with a suspect...the bullet found his unprotected armpit...and then his heart. His partner (another friend) killed the suspect before watching his partner die. Then there was a good friend who raised money for the families of fallen officers who was riding his bicycle on a fund-raising event in Indiana and was run over by an inattentive driver. The irony of it is not lost on me. These are just two friends I have lost, both in the last three years. These men and women were unselfish, giving themselves to a community that often doesn't seem to notice. So what about the Officer who watches his partner die? Is it possible to even try and put yourself in his shoes? Does he lose sleep at night? Does he have conflict over killing a suspect, regardless of whether the shooting was determined to be a "good shoot?" Was the incident enough for him to find a new line of work? Is his wife and family encouraging him to quit? Can any of his peers really understand the inner conflict raging inside him? The fact that he seems skiddish where he used to exude confidence. And what about the loving wife (or husband)? The children..whose hopes of attending college may have died with their parent? Who has an obligation to the surviving spouse to help them understand the emotions they are experiencing? What support network could possibly stand in the gap and reach out to survivors to help them cope with the immensity of their situation? There is such an organization. It is called Concerns Of Police Survivors (or COPS). COPS has a website at http://www.nationalcops.org where more information about this very important organization can be found. Donation links are also available at this website. COPS at one time received some funding from The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide training to local law enforcement agencies in dealing with a variety of issues regarding trauma within the profession of law enforcement (one of many issues addressed by COPS). Budget cuts have forced COPS to seek private funding for this important training. On their website, COPS lists their Mission Statement as providing assistance in rebuilding the lives of family and co-worker survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, in addition to the training mission mentioned above. Rebuilding lives is not an easy task. Losing a loved one in the prime of their lives is difficult enough to accept. Often, these officers leave young children behind who are faced with growing up without a father (or mother). This situation is dramatic enough in everyday circumstances, but losing a loved one to the violence of their occupation can be even harder to deal with. COPS has mental health professionals and peers that help co-workers and family members work through their loss. Recovering from loss alongside someone who has walked in your shoes makes the recovery process less lonely. COPS also sponsors seminars for survivors where small group dynamics help address common issues amongst survivors. Another important service provided by COPS is assisting survivors in attending the ceremony in Washington DC honoring their fallen loved one. During Police Week each year, COPS sponsors training sessions for survivors as well as the ceremonies honoring the fallen from the past year. COPS provides around the clock counselors in case a need arises during this very emotional week. Events are also planned for the surviving children. What may be an inconvenience for DC residents and workers every May looks completely different to me. We honor those who have fallen because their sacrifice really does mean something. COPS is based out of Camdenton, Missouri (PO Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020). The work of this very important charity organization can not be stressed enough. They provide support for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. They take care of the families left behind, torn apart by the death of a public servant. The least we can do for the family who has given their father, brother, mother, sister, husband, daughter, son...is to recognize their gift with a gift of our own. Support. Financial support for the recovery services provided to survivors by COPS. I urge you to visit their website to donate.  |
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