MAY 13, 2015
Concerns of Police Survivors sent approximately first year 125 survivors to National Police Week in Washington D.C.
Six Arizona fallen officer names to be added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
ARIZONA – Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Arizona helped to send approximately 125 first year survivors to National Police Memorial Week (May 12th -16th, 2015) in Washington D. C. Surviving families & co-workers are attending, as six Arizona fallen officer names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.
C.O.P.S. Arizona assists survivors with comfort, grieving workshops, and providing transportation to and from police week events. Food for survivors was sponsored by generous sponsors, and distributes credentials to attend all the events (including the White House). There are 222 Arizona survivors traveling to the 2015 National Police Week this year; 125 are first year survivors. National Police Week events, including the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, can be found at: http://www.nationalcops.org/police-week.asp.
“National Police Week can bring out many emotions, and it is during the memorials that the grieving process starts for these Arizona survivors,” says Jan Blaser-Upchurch, president of C.O.P.S. Arizona and surviving spouse of Arizona Department of Public Safety Sergeant John Blaser. “The first memorials were overwhelming to me, but it was nice to know I was not alone. It is a powerful week because it provides outlet where the families, friends and coworkers of Arizona police officers killed in the line of duty can unite and share personal stories, concerns and triumphs with others who share their unique situation.”
The 2014 fallen Arizona officers honored during National Police Week this year are:
Detective John Hobbs
Phoenix Police Department
End of Watch March 3, 2014
Officer Jair Cabrera
Salt River Police Department
End of Watch May 24, 2014
Agent Alexander Giannini
US Border Patrol
End of Watch May 28, 2014
Officer David Payne
Chandler Police Department
End of Watch October 31, 2014
Officer Ernest Montoya Sr.
Navajo Department of Public Safety
End of Watch November 30, 2014
Officer Tyler Stewart
Flagstaff Police Department
End of Watch December 27, 2014
Based largely on the belief that a survivor’s level of distress is directly correlated to a law enforcement agency’s response to the crisis, C.O.P.S. Arizona, a state affiliate of the national C.O.P.S. organization, works tirelessly to aid the families and police agencies directly affected by the more than 250 police officers lost in the line of duty each year. 126 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2014, a 24 percent increase from 2013, when 102 officers were killed. Arizona lost six officers in 2014 and over 260 in total since its statehood.
If the public would like to help assist fallen officer families, donations are always accepted via C.O.P.S. Arizona’s website at www.copsarizona.org. C.O.P.S. Arizona is a 501(c)3 and receipts are automatically sent with every generous contribution. Additionally, Arizonans can pay respects to fallen officers by purchasing a specialty license plate for your vehicle. Citizens can order an Arizona C.O.P.S. specialty plate through ServiceArizona.com.
