Current End of Watch Anniversaries

WAStateC.O.P.S. Elections to be held at the General Meeting on March 3, 2012

At our 12/03/2011 meeting, nominations for all positions were accepted from the floor. Elections will occur at the 03/03/2012 chapter meeting. 

Per our chapter bylaws:

  • Elections will be held every 2 years.
  • Those who run must be active and involved in chapter activities, and have attended the General meeting prior to elections.
  • National C.O.P.S. rules state that you may not run for office until at least 2 years have passed since your officer‘s death and any trial have concluded.
  • Officers can serve only 2 consecutive terms in the same position. WAStateC.O.P.S. President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions must be vacated at the end of this upcoming term (2012/2013).
  • Nominations may be accepted from the floor. 
Read more »

2011 C.O.P.S. Parents’ Retreat

by Rachel Garland, P, Sgt. Peter Garland, Klickitat County Sheriff's Office, EOW 07/18/2007

The first time I attended the Parents' Retreat was in 2009. It was a little scary, but I had been prepared by other parents who have attended in the past. Once I arrived, I was greeted by veteran survivors who drew me in and made me feel at home. It was a moving and positive experience. I had planned to go again the next year, but wasn't able to fit it into my schedule. So in October, 2011, I attended Parents' Retreat for the second time. It had been four years since Peter's death and I am healing well. I didn't fly with any other parents from Washington, but I connected with them at the Holiday Inn where we spent Thursday night before being bussed to the retreat center. I was assigned to room with another Washington surviving mother at the retreat. We had already met at the hotel, so we were both relieved, I think, to find that we would room together. We were joined later by another mom from Oregon.

I saw many familiar faces when we all arrived at the retreat center. I was surprised at how many parents apparently make this an annual event. I instinctively knew that since I was not a first-timer now, I would have the role of meeting and encouraging those who were there for the first time. Read more »

Depression: Know the Signs

by Ed Anzore, retired SFPD. Originally published 10/01/2011 by the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA). Reprinted with author’s permission.

My name is Ed Anzore and I am a recently retired sergeant out of Central Station, SFPD.  I retired 5 months ago and am now able to discuss my departure.  Ten years ago, I lost my brother, Charlie, to kidney cancer.  Charlie worked at Richmond Station at the time he was diagnosed with this disease.  To say my brother and I were close is an understatement.  I never knew how much his loss affected me until this year.  I could write a whole article just based on our relationship, but that‘s for another day.

About five years ago, I started to keep people at a distance.  This was everybody - wife, kids, friends, and co workers.  I never wanted to be close to anyone so I would never feel the pain I felt with the loss of my brother.  I was doing this sometimes subconsciously.  It was my defense mechanism which I thought was keeping me safe, but it was not.  In the last two years, I began to feel myself isolating from people and places.  I started losing the desire to go to events.  Irritability started to set in and I did not understand why.  During the last five years, I was involved in two critical incidents, one on duty and one off, where three people lost their lives.  Things started to go downhill and there was inner turmoil including anger in which I could not understand nor let go of.  My mind started to really go sideways.  When my brother passed, at the age of 52, all I could think about was "I hope I make it to 52".  I was also the last male member of my family not to have a form of cancer. Read more »

U.S. Forest Ranger Margaret Anderson killed in the Line of Duty

Ranger Margaret Anderson
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service

Biographical details:
  End of Watch: 1/1/2012
  Age: 34
  Badge: 1074
  Tour of duty: 11 years 

Incident Details:
  Date of Incident: 1/1/2012
  Cause of Death: Gunfire
  Type of Incident: Felonious
   Suspect: Deceased

      National Park Service Ranger Margaret Anderson

Park Ranger Margaret Anderson was shot and killed while executing a felony stop near the Longmire Ranger Station in Mount Rainier National Park at approximately 10:30 am.

Another officer attempted to stop the suspect near the Paradise Ranger Station, but the suspect fled before being stopped again by Ranger Anderson, who had set up a road block. The suspect stepped out of his vehicle and opened fire, fatally striking Ranger Anderson.

After being shot, Ranger Anderson radioed for help as the suspect fled on foot. Officers attempting to reach Ranger Anderson were held at bay for approximately three hours as the suspect continued to fire on them. The suspect's vehicle was recovered with additional weapons and body armor inside.

Ranger Anderson had served with the National Park Service for four years. She is survived by her husband and two young daughters. Her husband also serves as a ranger in the park and was on duty at the time.

Read more »

News links: 
Q13 Fox: Ranger shot and killed at Mount Rainier; suspect at large
King 5: Police search for suspect in Mt. Rainier National Park killing
KOMONews.com: 'Person of interest' in park ranger's death suspect in Skyway shooting
KIROTV.com: Ranger fatally shot at Mount Rainier National Park
Seattle Times: Ranger shot and killed at Mount Rainier
Seattle PI: Park ranger fatally shot at Mount Rainier National Park
KIRO Radio/MyNorthwest.com: Park ranger shot, killed at Mount Rainier National Par
News Tribune: 24-year-old named person of interest in Mount Rainier slaying
Memorial: 

A public memorial has been scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday 10th at Pacific Lutheran University. Additional details will be forthcoming and will be posted at http://www.WAStateCOPS.org.

Parking is expected to be limited and carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Candlelight Vigil - Sunday at 5pm.

Donations: 

The National Park Foundation has established a memorial fund in honor of Margaret Anderson to benefit Ranger Anderson’s two small children.https://myaccount.nationalparks.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=567

Donations in lieu of flowers have been requested from those wishing to express their support of Margaret Anderson’s family.

  • An account in Anderson’s name has been established at KeyBank.
  • Donations can be made in person at any KeyBank branch nationwide to the Margaret Anderson Donation Account.
    To make donations by mail, send them to:

                        KeyBank
                        Margaret Anderson Donation Account
                        P.O. Box 159
                        Eatonville, WA 98328

                        Make checks payable to Margaret Anderson Donation Account.

  • To make a donation electronically, contact your bank and ask to have the money sent to the address above.
  • KeyBank cannot process donations over the phone.

Suicide liaison appointed

Submitted by Troy Meyers on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 09:30

Our board voted to appoint a suicide liaison. As many of you may know, more than 3 times as many officers commit suicide as die in the line of duty. Julie Zielinski is the mother of Deputy Matt Zielinski, Chelan County S.O., who took his own life on 06/01/2005. Julie has "walked and lived this tragedy" and understands what others are going through. Julie‘s blog is http://mattcutshort.blogspot.com and she has also written a book, ―A Life Too Short: Matt‘s Story. The book is currently at the publisher‘s with production scheduled for January, 2012. Read more »

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Softball Game

by Tim Kiele, Corrections Deputy, Whatcom County Jail

I am proud to say that the Whatcom County Sheriff‘s Office played in their first annual softball game, with the Corrections Bureau vs. the Patrol Bureau. The game, on September 25, featured great catches, throws, home runs, and an evening full of laughs.

The crowd was so large that people had to park on the side streets. There were children playing on the hills, and the bleachers were full of fans from both sides.

We sold hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and Gatorade, and received numerous donations during the event.

 

 

Read more »

Horseman’s Games Fundraiser for National C.O.P.S., by Trisha Byrd, sister Officer Todd Bahr, Fredericksburg Police (VA), EOW 6/6/08

On August 6, 2011, at the Washington State Horse Park in Cle Elum, WA; I held a Washington State Horseman‘s games fundraiser for Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). I searched my heart for ways to give back to the organization that helped me through the most difficult time in my life...the day I lost my brother in the line of duty.

Trisha ByrdTodd Allen Bahr (EOW 6/6/08, badge # 337) was a police officer for the Fredericksburg Police Department in Fredericksburg, VA. I had never heard of C.O.P.S. before, but the Washington State C.O.P.S. chapter called me when they heard of my loss. I was so grateful for all the help, guidance and support everyone had given my family and I. I don‘t think we could have made it through this difficult time without the love of our Heavenly Father and the support of C.O.P.S.

At the fundraiser, we had the presentation of colors along with three other riders who carried different police/fallen officer flags. The girls did a wonderful job. We had about 25 riders participate in the games, which consisted of timed speed events such as: barrels, poles, flags, figure 8, cal stake, keyhole, keyrace, 2 man 3 barrel and 2 mancal stake.

Read more »

DEPRESSION: KNOW THE SIGNS

By Ed Anzore, Retired SFPD
Originally published Saturday, October 01, 2011 by the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), reprinted with permission. 

My name is Ed Anzore and I am a recently retired sergeant out of Central Station. I retired 5 months ago and am now able to discuss my departure. Ten years ago, I lost my brother, Charlie, to kidney cancer. Charlie worked at Richmond Station at the time he was diagnosed with this disease. To say my brother and I were close is an understatement. I never knew how much his loss affected me until this year. I could write a whole article just based on our relationship, but that’s for another day.

About five years ago, I started to keep people at a distance. This was everybody - wife, kids, friends, and co workers. I never wanted to be close to anyone so I would never feel the pain I felt with the loss of my brother. I was doing this sometimes subconsciously. It was my defense mechanism which I thought was keeping me safe, but it was not. In the last two years, I began to feel myself isolating from people and places. I started losing the desire to go to events. Irritability started to set in and I did not understand why. During the last five years, I was involved in two critical incidents, one on duty and one off, where three people lost their lives. Things started to go downhill and there was inner turmoil including anger in which I could not understand nor let go of. My mind started to really go sideways. When my brother passed, at the age of 52, all I could think about was "I hope I make it to 52". I was also the last male member of my family not to have a form of cancer.

 

Read more »

Thank You!

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen a Success!  We met and talked to a lot of Donors, Diners, Restaurateurs and their staffs.  Your support of survivors is greatly appreciated.  You created a pro-law enforcement environment and provided a much-needed support for those still on the street doing what is often a thankless job.  Our friends in the media in-turn shared that support with the public at large.
 
If you are a winner in our silent action expect to be contacted later to complete the transaction; if you are just interested in the results or would like to review bid sheets, please contact us at info@wastatecops.org.  Restaurateurs likewise can expect contact to complete your donations.
Read more »

Adult Childrens’ Retreat, 2011

by Cheryl Jordan, daughter of Deputy Robert Varner, Navajo County SO (AZ), EOW 01/02/1989 and by Marty Jordan, Cheryl’s husband

Have you attended a Hands-On Program (HOP) sponsored by National C.O.P.S.?

C.O.P.S. offers HOPs for spouses, in-laws, siblings, parents, co-workers, fiancé(e)s/significant others, camp programs for children and Outward Bound for teens – there’s something for everyone!

We are fortunate to be able to say that we, as a couple, have attended the Adult Childrens’ Retreat (“ACR”) twice, and that Cheryl, on her own has attended the same Retreat several other times. This past June, we both attended the Retreat, and are so glad that we put aside our many other “need to do’s” and “should do’s” to make time in our busy schedules – it was a great weekend!

We can all find many excuses, er, reasons, not to attend, but we cannot say enough about how wonderfully refreshing and encouraging this weekend is. Do yourself a favor, and start making plans now to attend a 2012 HOP! Washington State C.O.P.S. provides a stipend to help defray the costs of travel, so it’s really a simple matter of allowing yourself a weekend to focus on yourself and enjoy the beauty of central Missouri.

Read more »

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