Concerns of Police Survivors

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1 Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Date: July, 2012 Concerns of Police Survivors A Year in Review 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A Year in Review 1 C.O.P.S. Picnic Fund Raisers 3 President s Message 4 Officer Down Training 4 Thank You Letters proved to be a year of sorrow, remembering, and many changes within the Chapter as well as the law enforcement community. Unfortunately we lost two officers in 2011 which saddens all of us. On November 30, 2011 we lost Officer Michael Pollitz of the St. Louis Park Police Department. Mike was an 8 year veteran of the department and he is survived by his wife and two children. On December 30, 2011 we lost Officer Shawn Schneider of the Lake City Police Department. Shawn was an 8 year veteran of the department and he is survived by his wife and three children. Both families and departments were present in Washington DC this year to honor and remember their loved ones. All of us who belong to C.O.P.S. will never forget Mike and Shawn as well as their family, friends, co-workers and their departments. Chapter Picnic 2012 Special points of interest: Upcoming Fund Raising Events for 2012 Newly Elected Board C.O.P.S Family Picnic Pictures On Sunday, June 3, 2012 we held our annual Survivors Picnic. Because we serve the same group of people, our Chapter invited LEMA to join us. Since it was out inaugural event with LEMA, the Chapter paid for the park rental. We had a very nice turn out of about people. The venue was Lakewood Hills Park in White Bear Lake. It was a beautiful pavilion with lots of room for visiting and all of the fun events that were enjoyed by adults and children alike. The events included, face painting, clowns, White Bear Lake Fire truck, Ramsey County Water Patrol boat display, as well as K-9 demo s from both Ramsey County and Lino Lakes. Our new chaplain from Ramsey County, Frank Thell was in attendance to lead us in prayer. We feasted on pulled pork which was donated by Famous Dave s in Coon Rapids, LEMA provided hotdogs and buns, chips, and soda. The C.O.P.S. Chapter provided buns, lemonade, iced tea, coffee, chips and all the paper products and plastic ware. Each survivor was asked to bring something to share and we had a wonderful assortment of salads, fresh fruit and deserts.

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3 page 3 Upcoming Events Wild Bill s Fund Raiser August 11, :00 AM to 4:00 PM Wild Bills Sports Saloon 2nd Annual C.O.P.S. Fund Raiser. Events at all 4 Wild Bills, Apple Valley, Blaine & Maple Grove and Woodbury. Events will include, Hot Wing Eating Contest, Games for Adults and Children. Face Painting, Police Car Tour and a Silent Auction. For a $10.00 donation, Wild Bill s will give you 4 complimentary beverages, a bean bag event tournament and all of the above events. You can purchase tickets from C.O.P.S. board members or at the door. Please let the restaurant know that you are survivors. Bring your family and friends to help support this important chapter fund raiser. If you wish to help out at one of the 4 locations, please call Bill Hammes at Kids & Family Fun Fest August 19, 2012 from 9:00 am to 2 pm Colby Lake Park, Woodbury Valley Creek Road and Woodbury Drive. Come join us for a day of fun Kids fun run 5K/10k Memorial walk/run. These events are stroller and leashed dog friendly! There will be a moment of silence to Honor our Fallen Officers. Jump House, Ambulance, Dunk Tank, Horses, Food, carnival games, police cars, fire trucks, helicopters, police k9. Prizes for the kids. Volunteers are always needed, so if you wish to help, please call Larry VanderPoel at if you can help. Come and have a great time. Blue Light Memorial Service October 20, Mark your Calendars now. Law Enforcement Memorial in St. Paul Lunch at 4:30 PM at the Best Western Kelly Inn by the memorial. Blue Light Ceremony from 6:30-7:30 pm at the L.E. Memorial. More information in the next newsletter. F.O.P. #14 Golf Tournament August 20, Monday Legends Golf Course in Prior Lake This event is already filled to capacity. If you would like to have dinner and be present when a check is presented to call Bonnie Silvera at Shawn Silvera 5K Run August :00 am to 12:00 pm Long Lake Park, New Brighton Kids corner with games, music, prizes, Fire Truck and more. Water, bars, rolls, and fruit are provided to the runners. Volunteers are always appreciated to assist with Kids Corner, registration, food area, water stops for runners and the C.O.P.S. information table. Contact Bonnie Silvera at or Mark Silvera at If you are unable to attend any of these events, all of them have auctions and/or raffles for prizes. If you have an item you would like to donate we can help you make the connection to the event you want to donate to. Call any of the board members for this help.

4 President s Message page 4 Spring membership elections in April has provided us with some new board members. We are happy to announce the following positions that were filled. President, Bonnie Silvera 2 yr. position. Bill Hammes elected to Vice President and Jackie Bergeron, Secretary 1 yr. positions, as they are filling vacated positions. Mark Silvera, Treasurer, 2 yr, and Larry VanderPoel, Representative, 2 yr, This will be everyone s first term. Gia Nelson is returning as Representative for second year and Bill Breth has one year left as Representative. We want to thank the new board for taking their time to serve our chapter with their talents. Please introduce yourself to our new board. We are always looking for help with our chapter business and encourage you to volunteer for long or short term projects. You can help make a new survivor s grief journey a little easier and make a difference by volunteering. See the opportunities to help by joining us one Saturday in August at the fundraiser events listed. We always welcome your ideas and want you to feel that this is your support network. If you haven t been to a meeting for awhile, please come join us at one of the fun events we help support as volunteers this summer. The fun and friends you make is worth the time spent. Come join us or call Bonnie Silvera for more information Officer Down Training The MN Chapter of C.O.P.S. is currently involved with training throughout the state on Officer Down. The training consists of the following groups; Law Enforcement Family Support Network (LEFSN) MN Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Minnesota Association of Injured Police Officers (MAIPO) Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) Police Suicide Prevention Survivor Story Each presenter explains the role of their particular group in the event of an officer killed or injured in the line of duty. This training is a daylong session and spouses are encouraged to attend with their officer. So far in 2012 the training has been held at the Duluth Police Department and the Blaine Police Department. The sessions have been well attended by many including Chiefs, Officers and Spouses. In the past we have presented this training at the MN/DOT Training Center in Arden Hills, Maple Grove Government Center, Eagan Police Department, St. Cloud Police Department, and Rochester. We have had many positive comments about the training. The training is designed to assist agencies in being better prepared on how to handle events for the families and the department should an officer be injured or killed. The training also assists families in knowing what some of the monetary and educational benefits that are available to the surviving families. If you would like more information on this training program, please contact Bill Hammes at

page 5 Thank You Letters P. O. Box 222 Anoka, MN 55303 Phone: (763) 269-1000 We re on the Web! See us at: MNCOPS.ORG On behalf of the St.

Having a pre-arranged arrival, airline check in and security screening certainly eased the tension of traveling to Washington, D. C.

5 page 5 Thank You Letters P. O. Box 222 Anoka, MN Phone: (763) We re on the Web! See us at: MNCOPS.ORG On behalf of the St. Louis Park Police Department and family of Office Michael Pollitz, I would like to thank you and the volunteers who coordinated our departure from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport on May 12, Having a pre-arranged arrival, airline check in and security screening certainly eased the tension of traveling to Washington, D. C. The luncheon provided a perfect setting for fellowship with your staff and the Lake City officers who traveled with us. The Honor Guard representation provided for a special tribute to the memories of Officer Pollitz and Officer Schneider. The special touches that you arranged made the departure a special experience for all of us. Chief John D. Luse St. Louis Park Police Department Thank you very much for the photo with my grandchildren and Kind words for Mother s Day. The Vigil and Memorial in Washington, D.C. were amazing and emotional too- but what a great tribute to my son and all the others. C.O.P.S. is an amazing organization-all they do for the families. Steve and I are planning on attending the parent s weekend in October. I heard nothing but good things about it. And what fun the kids had at the FBI academy. I just can t say enough. Thank you from Barb Simon, Mother of Officer Mike Pollitz. Concerns of Police Survivors began in 1984 and consisted of 110 members. Today C.O.P.S. is a nationwide program with a membership of over 15,000 families. C.O.P.S. mission is: 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.

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DEPARTMENT OF OHIO. In This Issue: Message from the President Convention Photos News from Chapters

DEPARTMENT OF OHIO. In This Issue: Message from the President Convention Photos News from Chapters DEPARTMENT OF OHIO February 2017 Volume 1, Number 2 In This Issue: Message from the President Convention Photos News from Chapters Department of Ohio Officers: Brenda Russel - President Karen Stillwell