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Winter 2003
As We Approach One of the Most Difficult Times of Year, Survivors are Here for Each Other I would first like to say how wonderful this year's Blue Light Remembrance was. So many survivors came out to honor and remember all of the officers who have been so suddenly and tragically taken away. We had new survivors along with older survivors. One of Ohio COPS most important missions is to make sure that these heroes are never forgotten. We will never let their memory fade. Thank you to all who made this event so wonderful. As we face the holiday season, some for the first time, we know how difficult it can be. Nothing is the same as it was before our officer died. Christmas shopping, the holiday music, the lights and decorations, all of it, can seem so overwhelming. How can people actually be happy and expect you to join in the festivities? How can we get through the season with all of the stress, especially now without our loved one? How do we know what to do - do we get the tree or do we just forget the whole thing? What this issue is dedicated to is giving you some tips to help you get through it the best way you can. For many of us, we would just like to pass through the season without being part of it. But many times there are pressures from others to do what they think you "should" do. No one knows better what you "should" do than you. Not everything in this newsletter will work for you. It is our hope that you will find some things that will work and you can begin to rebuild your life around then. Remember, it is about YOU. It's about what you want to do. The grieving process is long and hard enough. Until you have been there, no one else has a clue how truly difficult it is. We want you to reach out to others who have been there, not for advice, but for comfort and understanding, for we truly do know what it is like. We have been there. And we are here for you. All you have to do is call. We wish you peace. And don't forget to put your blue lights out in remembrance of your fallen officer and to honor those that continue to put on the uniform every day.
God bless, stay safe, and take care of one another. [ return to top ] Executive Board Meeting
The agenda for this meeting will include event planning for 2004, National Police Week, our annual picnic, Blue Light Remembrance and more will be discussed. If you have anything that you would like discussed, please feel free to send the information to any of the board members. This chapter belongs to all of us. The more input we have, the stronger our chapter will get. [ return to top ] Each year during the holiday season, COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors) asks citizens and law enforcement agencies nationwide to support Project Blue Light during the holiday season. Several years ago, Mrs. Dolly Craig, the surviving mother-in-law of Daniel Gleason, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 idea is her legacy. Project Blue Light burns brightly in the hearts of the nearly 10,000 surviving families who comprise the COPS organization, a national, non-profit that assists the surviving families of officers killed in the line of duty as they rebuild their shattered lives. From a single blue porch light to entire shopping centers outlined in blue, thousands of blue lights shine nationwide during the holiday season to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who have given their lives in service to the profession.
Remember Me
I cannot speak,
So as you stand upon a shore,
As you look in awe at a mighty
As you look upon a flower,
Remember me in your heart,
For if you always think of me, [ return to top ] Coping with the Holidays - Tips and Suggestions The holiday season is upon us. Before our tragic loss, the holidays were filled with anticipation, expectations, hope, magic - and stress. However you celebrated the season before your loss, it is now totally different. It can never be the same again. The joy has been replaced with sadness and tears. For some, there is a fear of once the tears come, they may never stop. The warmth, love and excitement of the holidays is lost to the longing of wanting our officer back with us. The thought that they will never be with us again is so totally overwhelming, that we can sink to the lowest depths of despair. We have compiled the following list to help you navigate the season. Remember, everyone grieves differently. What works for you may not work for someone else. Do the best you can, and be kind to yourself.
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Executive Board Members Recognized
A huge thanks to all who work so hard! [ return to top ]
National Police Week Dates for 2004
Dates have been set for National Police Week 2004. They are as follows:
Registration packets will be mailed in late January by National. Ohio COPS will hold meetings with survivors and departments to assist with registrations for those who will be honoring a fallen officer in 2004. [ return to top ]
Trial News and Updates
It will be death by lethal injection for the man convicted of killing Youngstown Police Officer Michael Hartzell. Michael was shot to death in cold blood on April 29, 2003. We wish this family peace. On January 8, 2002, two Beaufort County (South Carolina) Sheriff Deputy's were shot to death in cold blood. Both of these officers have family members that live here in Ohio. Lance Cpl. Dana Tate and Cpl. Dyke Coursen were both shot to death. Their murderer now sits on death row in South Carolina. May peace be with these families. [ return to top ]
Ohio COPS Back the Blue Cruise to Alaska
Back the Blue will donate a portion of the cost to Ohio COPS. For more information on this exciting event, please call Tony Michaels and Cruise 800 at 1.800.285.1133. Cruise only packages are also available. Looking forward to sailing with everyone! [ return to top ]
Ohio Lawmen Softball Team Dedicates Support for Survivors
Our team members are safety officers (law enforcement and firemen) from all over the State of Ohio. We compete in competitive safety force softball tournaments around the country. The tournaments benefit a variety of causes such as memorial tournaments for safety officers killed in the line of duty, safety officers severely injured in the line of duty, safety force organizations similar to Ohio COPS, and in some cases, children with life-threatening illnesses. Some of the tournaments we participate in give the victors cash prizes. We have chosen to donate all funds won to Ohio COPS. Additionally, we have vowed to donate an undetermined amount to Ohio COPS for all safety force softball tournaments that we enter, whether we finish in first or last place. Hopefully, we could raise enough donations from corporate sponsorship and annual fundraisers to donate $300 to $500 per tournament. We would like to recognize those individuals and businesses that continually exhibit strong support to our organization. I like to call them the "heavy hitters" of our team. Without their support we would most likely fail to reach these tournaments. They include:
I would also like to commend our team members. They have made personal sacrifices at home, and at work to enable us to reach our goals and effecitvely maintain a competitive team. Essentially, our members are playing for the families of fallen officers from Ohio. They take great pride in this endeavor! They are caring people and just happen to be outstanding athletes. They include: Law Enforcement Officers
Firefighters
Team Accomplishments
These tournaments foster brotherhood and camaraderie throughout the safety force community. Teams from far and wide participate. It gives us great pleasure to represent the State of Ohio as the best safety force softball team in the "Buckeye State." Ohio COPS would like to extend our gratitude to this amazing group of people. They have already donated $1250 to the Ohio COPS organization. With their support, we can continue to help survivors with travel costs to Washington, DC to honor their fallen officers, travel expenses to the hands-on programs sponsored by National COPS, hold bigger and better events such as our Blue Light Remembrance and annual picnic. I believe their act of generosity speaks volumes for these men who wear the badge and support those left behind by law enforcement's greatest tragedy. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. [ return to top ]
Ohio COPS Thank You's
We have been able to assist new survivors with a portion of their trip expenses to National Police Week to honor their fallen officer. We have paid for many airline tickets to get survivors to the various National retreats. Donated monies have been spent on our annual picnic. We have wonderful food and lots of enjoyable crafts for the children. Donations were also responsible for the Blue Light Remembrance event. Ohio COPS will assist with counseling that is not covered by insurance of COPS Kids monies. We are proud of the fact that we have been able to assist in so many ways. Like our treasurer Kelly says, the money that we spend on our survivors is what it is all about. And I couldn't agree more. We would like to thank the following for their generosity.
National Hands On Program for 2003 I attended my first Spouses Weekend on the inaugural voyage of the houseboats back in 1998. It had been 10 months since my husband had been murdered, and I felt so alone and isolated from everyone and everything. I had very little hope left in my life. I went on that trip not having a clue what to expect. Little did I know that that weekend would change my life forever. The friends I made back then are some of my dearest and closest friends to this day. I learned that life can go on and I could find happiness and joy once again. Six years have passed since my husband's murder. Do you ever "get over it" or have "closure?" No. But you can learn to live with the void and rebuild your shattered life. As time has passed for me, I have learned to turn the pain into fond, loving memories of Dan. And my friends in the COPS program have helped me to do this. They have taught me much through the years, and for all of them, I am eternally grateful. We here at Ohio COPS wish you as much peace as possible as you move through this holiday season. And know that others who have traveled this road of grief are just a phone call away.
God bless, Survivors who have attended this year's Hands On Programs:
Renee Gisclon Rogers
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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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