May 2002 Newsletter C.O.P.S. Run 2002 A Civilian's Heart Another Criminal to Stay Behind Bars Every Day Heroes Trial News and Updates C.O.P.S. Run 2002 The search is on for law enforcement officers to participate in the National Police Challenge 50-kilometer relay race, the NPC-50 which takes place a couple of days prior to police week. The NPC is a 50 kilometer relay competition among local, state, and federal agencies from around the world. The NPC-50 is run in conjunction with National Police Memorial Week held each spring in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Secret Service and the USSS Employee Recreation Association coordinate the race on behalf of the law enforcement community. All net proceeds go directly to COPS. Each team consists of ten sworn law enforcement personnel who run a 5k course, one runner after the other, relay style. Last year a multi-agency team was formed and helped NPC-50 raise over $30,000 for COPS. Any interested runners can contact Jim Briganti, Boardman Police Department, FOP Lodge #43, at 330-726-4150 ext. 1270 or email at JBriganti99@aol.com. [ return to top ] A Civilian's Heart The date, August 29, 2001, will forever be etched in my memory. I attended the services and funeral for Officer Terry McDowell of the Whitehall Honor Guard. It was a day of utter emotional exhaustion. As a nurse, I thought I had seen the depths of pain and grief...I was mistaken. While crying, my heart was breaking for his family and fellow officers. But yet, on this beautiful sunny day, I was also inspired by the show of support by officers from what seemed like everywhere, for this small police department. Thankfully, time moves on to help us heal our broken hearts. These life experiences will leave their mark upon us. Officer Terry McDowell and the men of the Whitehall Honor Guard have left a lasting mark on this civilian’s heart. ~Pam Miller, Trustee for Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society [ return to top ] Another Criminal to Stay Behind Bars Cincinnati Police Officer Melvin Henze was brutally attacked and murdered on May 5, 1979. Percy Wilson was apprehended and convicted of murder. He was put in prison for life. At that time, life meant maybe 20, 30 years max. Percy Wilson came up for parole again on January 24, 2002 and was once again denied. He will continue to stay in prison until his next parole hearing in November 2007. Thank you to all the members of C.O.P.S. who wrote letters urging the parole board to do the right thing. **If anyone knows of a cop killer coming up for parole, Ohio C.O.P.S., along with many other organizations can be notified to assist with letter writing campaigns designed to keep these people from ever getting out of prison. We believe that cop killers should never be allowed to walk the streets again, and we will do whatever it takes to keep them locked up. Contact us today. [ return to top ] Every Day Heroes I attended a funeral last week for a 90-year-old man who had been a World War II veteran. An honor guard from Fort Riley came to serve as pallbearers. I learned that this man had just been a cook but was decorated for crawling on his hands and knees to the front lines carrying apples and biscuits in his pockets to feed the soldiers firing at the enemy. This frail and fragile man was a hero and I never even knew it. Americans discovered many heroes in September. Passengers who engaged their hijackers, police and firemen who rushed to the scene and were caught in the towers collapse, people who lined up for hours to donate blood for the survivors that never materialized, those of us who sat at home and prayed for the families of the victims are all heroes on one level. For a few minutes, and sometimes for eternity, we cast aside our personal biases and beliefs and joined the community of America. For a brief time, we stopped to savor the joy of family, faith, and the spirit that has led this country for generations. It is important to realize that all heroes are not dead. The police officer who got up the morning of September 12, put on his uniform and badge, and left his family to protect his neighbors is as much a hero as the men and women who died in New York. The teacher who walked into a classroom and discussed the previous days events with students, the truck driver who climbed into his cab and delivered supplies, even the lawyers and judges who searched for justice in those terrible days all showed the resilience that is America. It may be important today, with the distance of several months, to remember that we are surrounded by heroes. Men and women protect us daily, enforce our laws, fight our fires, find treatments and cures for our diseases, and strengthen our religious beliefs. The war on terrorism is not fought only in Afghanistan. It is fought in the hearts and minds of all of us - and we will win this battle as we won the battle of Normandy where the old man who died last week crawled to reach his friends with food. What are the lessons of September 11? That the most average person is heroic; that out of great tragedy comes greatness - of an individual, of a community, of a nation. That we are stronger than we ever hoped, that we are a nation of honor and a nation of purpose. That we honor the heroes who gave their lives and, more importantly, that we recognize the heroes still in our midst.” ~written by an anonymous member of C.O.P.S. [ return to top ] Trial News and Updates On November 6, 2001, Frank Vazquez of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was struck and killed by a drunk driver. This driver was a repeat offender. His blood alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit. He had been incarcerated since Frank's death, and the week of March 27th, agreed to plead no contest. He has since received the maximum sentence of 8 and 1/2 years behind bars. The trial of the man who brutally murdered Robert Tanner of the Muskingum County Sheriff's Department on January 8th, 2002 is set to go on trial October 21, 2002. The prosecutor is seeking the death penalty in this case. Update: The driver who struck and killed Officer Chris Claypool of the Columbus P.D. still has not been identified as of this time. There is a possibility the family will never find out who killed their loved one. The man who shot and killed Officer Terry McDowell of the Whitehall P.D. shot and killed himself before being apprehended by other officers on the scene. Officer McDowell's partner that evening was shot in the face with a .357. He is recovering physically at this time, but will have a long recovery in dealing with the death of a co-worker and friend. Our prayers go out to him and his family. Our hearts break for all who must endure these trials and for those who may never have the answers they deserve. >> return to top Home |  Awareness Campaigns |  Contact |  Cruise |  Ohio COPS Mission Upcoming Events |  Fallen Officers |  Links |  Mailing List |  Share a Memory National Program |  Newsletters |  Officers |  Past Events Grief Information |  Thanks and Praise Site design by Matschca Design, Inc. Hosting provided by ImageNet USA All Rights Reserved

For the first time in their lives, many survivors find themselves thinking of ways to kill another human being, the killer. Understandably, some people are deeply disturbed by this emotion. You may wonder if you are losing your mind. You aren't. You are normal. Counselors of survivors find that almost every person they work with thinks about revenge. Having these feelings does not mean you are going to act on them. >>more info<<