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Note: Fall/Winter 2002
Ohio C.O.P.S. is moving forward and growing stronger thanks to so many wonderful people Hello to all. It has been a whirlwind of a summer. Our chapter has been kept extremely busy with not only the horrific deaths of three officers so far this year, but of all kinds of different events. We had the Ohio FOP/FOPA conference in Cincinnati, and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Convention near Cleveland, both in July. A big thanks to Kelly Raker for working the FOP/FOPA, and another thanks to Grace Leon and Mandi Salvino for working the OACP. Without the help of these extraordinary people, the message of C.O.P.S. would not get spread. We have also started doing some Line of Duty trainings in the state. We had one in Parma Hts., with Mike Haley of the CIRS (Critical Incident Response Services) this summer and we will be doing a few trainings in Independence this fall. We have gotten quite a few invites from the FOPA's around the state to come and speak about C.O.P.S. If you or your department would like information on the work that we do, please don't hesitate to contact us. We also had our annual picnic this past summer, located at the Capital City Lodge once again. It is a wonderful facility and everyone had a great time, especially the kids! To view some photos, go to the www.ohiocops.com site and click on "past events and photos". We also had our annual meeting that day, and Brenda Johnson Flugum was unanimously elected to be our new secretary! Brenda went on our spouses getaway and is doing an outstanding job. Her coming to our board helps us to look into our future and find ways we can help survivors as the years pass after losing a loved one. We appreciate her insightfulness and look forward to a long, wonderful relationship. We have already begun planning for next year's picnic and we have been asked by some officers in Cleveland about doing a motorcycle ride for survivors. We are hoping for a statewide ride, with all the bikers converging at the site of our picnic. What a sight that would be! Anyone interested, give us a call and we will put you in touch with the organizer of this event. In closing, I would just like to say how honored I have been to meet the survivors in this state. We quite possibly would have never met without tragedy coming into all of our lives, but to be a part of the recovery journey has been quite a privilege. Thank you for letting us help you as you begin to rebuild your lives.
With peace and healing, [ return to top ] First Annual "Blue Light" Remembrance
This event was planned as a time to remember our fallen heroes. With the holiday season before us, many times we don't feel like celebrating anything. Our hope is the older survivors will meet with the newer ones and together, gather strength from each other. That is our mission here, to hold out our hands to one another, easing each other along through the journey of grief. May peace find you all through this season. [ return to top ] Memorial License Plates in the Works - Updates
Petitions have been sent out to all Ohio survivors and all law enforcement departments in the state. Everyone received a petition to fill out to "commit" to buy a plate prior to production. We need these petitions to come back to us as soon as possible. The sooner they are returned, the sooner we can start production. So please, if you haven't already done so, put them in the mail to:
Ohio C.O.P.S. We realize that many law enforcement officers already purchased organizational license plates of one type or another. We are not asking you to stop supporting these other fine organizations. However, most Ohio households own more than one vehicle. Therefore, we are asking you to consider a commitment to purchase just one license plate to benefit the Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors. Note: We must have originals. Petitions that have been copied or faxed are not acceptable to the BMV. Please call 513.367.2130 for your copy of a petition. As of October 15th, we have over 580 signatures! Keep them coming! [ return to top ]
Spouses Reflect on Getaway My husband was killed June 25, 2000. I have three children, ages 4, 6 and 7. It took much persuasion to leave my children for the weekend to attend my first Spouses Retreat. It was one of the best decisions I made since Wayne's death. Spouses Retreat was a great source of strength, inspiration, and hope. There were survivors that recently lost their spouse. I witnessed their raw pain and reflected back to those early days when the grief is so intense. It made me realize how far I have come with coping with the loss of my husband. I also was in the company of survivors that remarried, had a new life, a life that was good again. Every person I met enabled me to look inward at the person that I have become and hopeful of what my path may lead me to. The weekend was full of many challenges. The Alpine Tower, a 50 ft. climbing structure, was the most empowering. This activity is a test of will, endurance, and strength. You had to plan your way to the top, sometimes having the re-adjust your route to get to there. Once you get there, it was a tremendous feeling of success. This was a great break from the everyday stresses. A time to gather with survivors that have had the same experience of a line of duty death. I am very grateful for C.O.P.S. for hosting such an amazing event. I am a better mom and a better person because of it. - Grace Leon [ return to top ]
Our Ohio C.O.P.S. Creed
We are here to help all survivors discover what they are feeling...not to make feelings go away. We are here to help al survivors identify options...not to decide for them what they should do. We are here to discuss steps with all survivors...not to take the steps for them. We are here to help all survivors discover strength...not to rescue them and leave them still vulnerable. We are here to help all survivors discover they can help themselves....not to take responsibility for them. We are here to help all survivors learn to choose...not to make it unnecessary for them to make difficult choices. We are here to provide support as we all learn to walk the path we are traveling. [ return to top ]
Ohio Fallen Officer Eric Taylor
Patrolman Taylor was shot and killed following a vehicle pursuit and foot pursuit of a suspect that ended near Cherry Road and First Street Northwest. The chase began when a state trooper made a traffic stop at Ohio 21 and Edwards Street in Doylestown. During the stop, the suspect opened fire on the trooper and fled. The suspect's vehicle became stuck in a field and Patrolman Taylor and the suspect exchanged gunfire while still in their vehicles. The suspect then fled on foot and continued to exchange gunfire with Patrolman Taylor and other officers as they pursued him. Both Patrolman Taylor and the suspect were fatally wounded. Patrolman Taylor had been with the agency for four years and is survived by his wife, 2 and 1/2 year old son, and 1 year old daughter, his mother and father and siblings.
Cause of Death: Gunfire [ return to top ]
New Website Debuts - www.ohiofallenofficers.com
The website was designed and donated by Sue Veldkamp of Matschca Design, Inc. and Kent Orso, Vice President of ImageNet. The two worked with Chris Cosgriff of the Officer Down Memorial Page to build this most moving site. It lists the over 670 names of every officer ever to lose his/her life in this state. We do, however, need many more pictures and histories to make this site complete. Please go to the site and if you have any information available about any of the officers, email them to Sue via the website. Also on this site, you can download the song, "Shattered Lives". It was written and performed for Ohio C.O.P.S. by Singer/Songwriter Paul Jones. Sue and Kent have both agreed to sit on the Ohio C.O.P.S. board as advisory members. Thank you both for the amazing job you have done with this website. Note: Sue is also the one who donated and built the www.ohiocops.com site. Thanks Sue! [ return to top ]
A Survivor Says Thank You
He left behind his wife Tammy, baby daughter Rachel and stepson Nicholas. I am sure that Doug is very thankful as we are that the Ohio C.O.P.S. and F.O.P. considers him to be one of their own. Thank you again. Pam Sohn [ return to top ]
Ohio Fallen Officer Mary Beall
Officer Beall succumbed to a gunshot wound received on May 15, 2000 when a suspect she was attempting to negotiate with shot her execution style. She and several other officers had responded to a call of a man firing at his girlfriend. When they arrived, they encountered the armed suspect. As other officers covered her, Officer Beall knelt down and re=holstered her service weapon in an attempt to talk the man into surrendering. As she did so, the suspect stuck his .30 caliber handgun in her neck and fired. Officer Beall's partner and other officers returned fire, wounding the suspect. The suspect was charged with several counts from the initial incident and sentenced to 76 years in prison. Murder charges are pending as a result of Officer Beall's death. The wound to Officer Beall caused her to become paralyzed from the neck down. She had undergone over a dozen surgeries since the incident prior to her passing away. Officer Beall had been with the agency for three years at the time of the shooting. She is survived by her husband, also a Dayton Police Officer, son and two daughters, her mother, and mother-in-law and two sisters.
Cause of Death: Gunfire [ return to top ]
Law Enforcement Seminar Coming to Cincinnati
Seminar will take place in Cincinnati on March 3, 4 and 5 of 2003. These seminars cover a large range of topics including:
No registration fees are charged for law enforcement-oriented participation. This training is funded by the Bureau of Justice. If you would like more information on this seminar, please go to the National C.O.P.S. website at www.nationalcops.org and look under "Programs". You can also contact Ohio C.O.P.S. and we will assist you in any way we can. [ return to top ]
Trial News and Updates
On Wednesday, October 2, 2002, the man who brutally hit Officer Christopher Claypool with his car was caught in Columbus. With the words of a family member, his being caught brings a little bit of "closure" in knowing that he now must be accountable for what he has done, but in no way brings, "closure" to losing Chris. Many times, people think we can close out the past, but with talking with survivors, many don't want closure of their officer. Many times in our society, that is one of the words that gets tossed around much too lightly. We will pray for a speedy trial and an appropriate ending. At this time, the trial of Doug Jacobs of Riverside, California is still pending. Doug has relatives that live in Ohio. [ return to top ]
Project Blue Light for the Holidays
Several years ago, Mrs. Dolly Craig, the surviving mother-in-law of Daniel Gleason, a Philadelphia (PA) police officer killed in the line of duty in 1986, sent her Christmas message to the COPS National office. Her daughter Pam, the surviving widow of Officer Gleason, had been killed in a car accident in August, 1988, before the holiday season. Dolly wrote, "This holiday I'm putting two blue lights in my living room window. One is for Dan and the other is for Pam, who believed so much in the COPS organization". Dolly Craig is now deceased as well, but her ideas of Project Blue Light burns bright in the hearts of the nearly 10,000 families in the COPS organization. [ return to top ]
A Note from our Treasurer We now have Ohio C.O.P.S. candles, thanks to Mandi Salvino who took the candle project and ran with it. Mandi found a candle maker in Ohio, worked with her for months and presented beautiful and wonderfully-scented candles to the chapter. Mandi, you're the greatest! As the holidays approach, I look forward to our fundraising efforts being profitable, with all our new and exciting merchandise. As some of you know, my husband Steve and I are going to be blessed with our first child in February. Please know that my commitment to Ohio C.O.P.S. remains as strong now as when I took this job.
I wish you peace and blessings, [ return to top ]
Get Behind the Badge [ return to top ]
New USA+ Medical Program Instituted for Ohio C.O.P.S.
Recently Ohio C.O.P.S. became aware of a medical discount program that EVERYONE can take advantage of. We wanted to share the information we found with the hopes that it may help some of our survivors and their families. Astonishingly, it costs an entire family only $46.00 per month. Everyone, every family, no matter if they have a pre-existing condition (Cancer, HIV, Diabetes, etc.) is accepted for the $46.00 per month. This is not insurance, it is a national discount program that gives up to 60% discounts on prescriptions, up to 35% off doctors and hospitals, as well as discounts on eye care. There are even "Lifestyle" discounts on retail and grocery shopping! The program allows you to cancel at any time without penalty and there are absolutely no medical forms or questions to answer. In order that you could learn more about this helpful program, we have provided a link on www.ohiocops.com. Just click on Medical Discount Program or call toll-free 1.877.764.8345. [ return to top ]
Thank You Once again Tony Michaels and Cruise 800 for our Back the Blue Cruise. We should make a nice sum of money again this year. Goodtimers and their Freedom Ride for including us in this year's ride. There were over 3000 bikers from all over Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Indiana who came out to support law enforcement. Thank you to the Blue Knights of Columbus for having a motorcycle ride for us this summer. Art Haveman of Police International. Barb and Herb Albright for selling their son Kevin's pins for us. Sergeant Tom Synan, Jr. for donating an off-day to help with the picnic. Hi Point Lodge FOP #60 for your donation. FOP #9 for donating the lodge for our picnic. Command Staff Class at Northwestern University for making us your class donation recipient. And thank you to all who continue to buy our merchandise and support us! Thank you, thank you, thank you! [ return to top ]
Going Through the Holidays - One Step at a Time
We knew that Santa HAD to arrive on time. Megan was almost five and had had her picture taken at the mall with Mr. C as she politely called him and even though Sean was barely three, he had caught his sister's excitement. Our daughter-in-law, Rachael, gamely tried to be cheerful for her children but the strain was evident to anyone who really looked at her eyes. She was as afraid as we were of facing this 'joyous season' when there was no real joy in our lives. Our laughter, our family traditions, and our spirits had been murdered by the same man that killed Tim. We toyed with the idea of going somewhere; taking the kids to Disneyland just to escape the empty chair at Christmas dinner but in the end, found that we were too exhausted to do the planning. Christmas that year snuck up on us and smacked us right between the eyes. I find that I actually remember little before early evening of December 25, 1999, but what I do recall reminds me of how little we had traveled the road of grief. Santa arrived on schedule, but Tim was not there to arrange the presents under the stockings. This was one of the many "firsts" when Tim should have been there, smiling gently at his children, enthusiastically delving into the pile under the tree looking for just the right present to pass out, napping softly on the couch after a huge meal, and grinning the smile we had seen since he was a small boy with a big secret. But Tim wasn't there and the charade of happiness became overwhelming. We struggled on. After church, Megan, all five years of wisdom in her grin, leaned over and whispered loudly, "I just talked to Daddy and he is happy today that we were all having a good time". And the day changed. Megan knew something that the adults didn't. Tim was gone but he was not absent from our day. He was in every smile, no matter how tentative. He had been the joy in our lives from the day he was born and the manner and timing of his death did not diminish our memories or our pride. Christmas that year started the tradition of telling stories to Megan and Sean of what he had been like when he was their age. I smiled at my family knowing that next year Megan would be getting her first bike, just like her daddy had, and Sean would learn to do a somersault off the couch because I would teach him as I had his father. Our lives would continue, we would continue to miss Tim, but the road was eased knowing that we no longer had to pretend that Tim was no longer a part of our lives. He was in Megan's smile and Sean's shy grin. And he was with us that Christmas. I wish I could tell you that the next Christmas was a return to our family holidays but that is not quite true. It was better than the first year, but not the idealized holiday that I remembered. We had been to Washington D.C. in May and had met many other families struggling just like we were. While the seminars were excellent, some of my best moments were spent sitting in the lobby and meeting other parents. We compared what had happened, how we were coping, things that had worked, and things that hadn't. I found hope and comfort there. And I found more than a few good ideas. It was important that we keep Tim's memory alive for his children and we made books for each of them from family pictures; one picture per page and the story behind the photo. We laminated pages for Megan and Sean, punched holes in the pages and tied it all together with shoelaces. Sean has never tired of his "Daddy book" and it is his favorite for nighttime stories, closely followed by Dr. Seuss (he likes the 'classics'). Megan came home crying one day from kindergarten because another child had teased her by saying that she didn't have a father. She took her book to school the next day so her classmates could see that she not only had a father, he had loved spending time with her. Now the other children are pestering their parents for their own book. Sean does a dynamite somersault and is working on cartwheels. Megan got her purple bicycle the next Christmas, complete with helmet and training wheels, and Rachael and I spent what seemed like hours running alongside after the wheels were removed. It was a great day for all of us when Megan pedaled faster than we were running and sailed away. And we still miss Tim. Every day sees a tiny bit of the anguish give way to fond memories because I have finally come to KNOW that Tim will never be really gone from my life. Like Megan, I can talk to him, share my good times and my bad, and know that he is in a good place. And, I was amazed to discover, so are we, we are busy, happy much of the time, and I have my grandchildren to teach all about their father. Our Christmases are now filled with excited children diving into their stockings, and waiting patiently for their personal story time about their father. I spend much time deciding which stories to tell and which to save for next year and I enjoy the reminiscing and planning as much as the telling. Since there are so many stories, we have expanded the practice to birthdays and all the other major holidays. As a family, we are truly blessed. Many years ago I read the statement, "out of great tragedy comes greatness". In our case, the greatness is twofold; it lies in the family Tim left us to cherish and it also lies in the privilege we had of knowing and loving Tim for the time we had. May each of you find the peace that awaits us all as we travel this mysterious and dark road named Grief. And may you find the strength to enjoy whatever moments bring you joy during these holidays. Tim is happy today that we are having a good time. And we are, finally, really having a good time.
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Someone you love has been murdered, or was killed by a drunk or reckless driver. It is an understatement to say that your life has been changed. Your anger and pain are deep, and it will take a great deal of hard work and time to recover. You may never feel as if you have "recovered". However, many persons who have been in your situation learn to "manage their grief". You will need time, determination, and, often, the support of a caring listener.
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| May 2002 Issue |