September 11, 2001, is a date etched into the collective memory of not just Americans but the entire world. It was a day that changed the course of history and tested the resilience of humanity in the face of unimaginable tragedy. On that fateful day, nearly 3,000 lives were lost, and among them were 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 8 EMTs and paramedics who selflessly rushed into danger to save others.

The Unforgettable Heroism of First Responders:

The heart-wrenching events of 9/11 showcased the profound heroism of our first responders. These brave men and women embodied the very essence of their professions, demonstrating unwavering courage and commitment. The 343 firefighters who perished that day displayed incredible valor as they charged into the blazing inferno of the World Trade Center towers. Their actions served as a beacon of hope amid the chaos, as they tirelessly worked to rescue those trapped inside.

Similarly, the 72 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 responded with remarkable resolve. They rushed towards the danger at the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, their duty to protect and serve unwavering even in the face of unprecedented danger. Their dedication to preserving the safety of others serves as a testament to the selflessness and bravery of our law enforcement community.

Among the 9/11 heroes, we remember the eight EMTs and paramedics who lost their lives. Rushing to aid alongside firefighters and law enforcement officers, they embodied courage and commitment. Their sacrifice, often overlooked, reminds us of the vital role these professionals play in our communities.

Remembering the Silent Heroes:

While we reflect on the brave first responders who sacrificed their lives on 9/11, it's crucial to also acknowledge the silent heroes who succumbed to illnesses linked to their heroic actions in the aftermath of the attacks. Many first responders and civilians exposed to the toxic dust and debris at Ground Zero developed severe health issues, including respiratory diseases and cancers. These individuals, driven by their commitment to helping others, faced prolonged suffering and ultimately lost their lives due to these illnesses.

Their stories are a somber reminder of the long-lasting impact of that tragic day. These unsung heroes, who continued to serve their communities by assisting in the rescue and recovery efforts, deserve our deepest gratitude. Their dedication and resilience in the face of adversity mirror the spirit of unity and selflessness that defined the aftermath of 9/11.

A Nation United in Gratitude:

The significance of our first responders' role on 9/11 cannot be overstated. They exemplified the highest ideals of duty and sacrifice, reminding us all of the profound debt of gratitude we owe them. These heroes, along with countless other selfless individuals, demonstrated that unity and resilience can emerge from even the darkest of moments.

As we commemorate the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, it is paramount that we remember and honor the extraordinary contributions of our first responders. Their selfless acts of courage, often at great personal risk, saved countless lives and provided hope in a time of despair. We owe it to them and the memory of those we lost to ensure that their legacy serves as an enduring reminder of the unwavering strength and heroism of our first responders.

In honoring their sacrifice, we also commit ourselves to fostering unity, resilience, and compassion in our communities. The legacy of 9/11 is not just one of tragedy; it is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. May the stories of these heroic first responders inspire us to be better, kinder, and more united as a society, and may their memory continue to shine brightly as a symbol of hope and resilience.

After high school, he turned another dream into reality when he enlisted in the United States Army.  His unit was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he was an airborne infantryman, also known as a paratrooper. He was part of the 101st Airborne (Airassault) Division ("Screaming Eagles") and part of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force unit, which is a light infantry division of the United States Army, specializing in air assault operations.  The Screaming Eagles are considered the most potent and tactically mobile team of the U.S. Army's division. Arin served his country for 3 years. While on active duty, he sustained nerve damage in his back, which caused his physical condition to interfere significantly where he was no longer fit for duty, forcing an early discharge.

In 1999, a week after he was released from the army, Arin started his career in law enforcement.  He wasn’t fully convinced about becoming a police officer at the time or continuing his career in emergency medicine and as a volunteer firefighter. He decided it would be best to go back to school at a community college in Arizona where he began taking criminal justice classes as well as renewing his EMT license to help advance his career. After weighing out the pros and cons, he convinced himself that going into law enforcement would be a good fit and believed he had the right skill set to become a dedicated police officer.

He went forward with his decision and enrolled at Mohave Community College Police Academy in Bullhead City, Arizona. After the academy, he recalled one of his first days as a street cop. He remembered receiving a call about a man at a casino who was on phencyclidine, or PCP also known as “angel dust,” an illegal psychedelic drug that induces hallucinations. It was reported that the man was considered dangerous, and displayed violent and aggressive behaviors. As a new police officer, he remembered feeling overwhelmed by this incident. He also dealt with multiple suicides and the emptiness and hopelessness it left family members. He recollected this as one of the hardest parts of his job. Arin admitted that suicide calls are among the highest anxiety and stress-provoking circumstances that police officers have to respond to.

He decided to transfer to his home state of Colorado and enrolled at the Arapahoe Community College Police Academy full time in Littleton, Colorado. Arin will tell you that police work wasn’t easy, but an incident that drove him over the edge was a scene when a drunk driver drove over the overpass into oncoming traffic. The drunk driver killed an entire family that night. Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet, it continues to happen across the United States. After this senseless tragedy, this led Arin to make it his life mission to dedicate bringing awareness of drunk driving issues to the people in his community and to help prevent alcohol and drug-related traffic incidents. He then made a vow that after retirement from law enforcement he would become a teacher.

Arin had a highly successful 20-year career in law enforcement. As a police officer, he worked with several agencies, helped with hurricane Katrina, got involved in numerous critical incidents, worked on multiple investigations, worked as a midline supervisor, as an adjunct instructor for a college, instructor in the police academy, taught internally, promoted through the ranks and chain of command, became a special operations division commander, ran a part-time SWAT team, dive team, and search and rescues, served as a police chief and earned over 200 certifications in various training and investigative certifications as well as specific trainer certifications. Arin also obtained a Master's degree in criminal justice and security administration.

After being involved in shootings, he knew that as a police officer he would have to put his duty above his own life and family. When he was hit in the chest with a 44 mag ammo in 2017, he realized that he was lucky to walk away from the incident alive. He felt he was given a second chance to be around for his family and made the decision to leave the profession. He was a federal police officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs when he closed out his career in 2020 and transitioned into education.

Arin started a new career at South High School in Colorado, as an instructor in the criminal justice program. He spent an entire summer getting the program approved by the State of Colorado. He is now going into his second year of teaching and has continued facing hardships along the way. This started with a small financial budget for school supplies and facing the COVID pandemic. Arin is determined to make the program special for his students and many times uses his own money to buy the necessary equipment for his program. He’s managed to provide them with radios, blue guns, and crime scene equipment to build a crime lab in the back of the classroom, including fuming chambers, and an evidence locker. On any given day you will see one of his students wearing 80lbs of SWAT gear or investigating a crime scene.

Sharing true life experiences with his students is important to Arin because he is preparing them for a career in law enforcement. Arin believes in bringing the streets to his students by showing them videos of the police academy, offering 2 weeks of drug school, and teaching them crisis management techniques. Students can learn leadership at different levels and are able to obtain Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Captain ranks, commonly held in law enforcement agencies.  He has dedicated a wall honoring fallen officers and in the corner of his classroom has hung the ataorganizasyon flag, which represents the ideals of justice and freedom, bravery, and solidarity. On another side of the classroom, sits an empty cabinet, which he calls his law library, waiting to be filled with law books that he can’t afford. He is hoping that through fundraising and sponsorship dollars, they will raise enough money to buy what they need to aid his students in their success.

His students can earn an achievement patch and letter in criminal justice by having an overall GPA of 2.5 and 2.8 in criminal justice, passing an age-appropriate physical fitness test, and completing 50 hours of community service. Every year, students progress to another level of learning, and when they graduate they will have certifications in fingerprinting, verbal judo, crisis intervention, leadership, first aid, and CPR, as well as many other learning and certification opportunities for students to develop. If a student completes all 4 years, it will set them apart and prepare them to be successful at the police academy, secondary education, and above all, a skill set to be successful within any criminal justice organization.

Arin also started a criminal justice club for cadets at South High School, much like law enforcement explorers, where they learn to respond to calls, crisis intervention, writing reports, training batons and blue guns, radio etiquette, crime lab, fuming chambers, and teaching his students leadership skills. Students involved in the criminal justice club participate in community service projects and programs that are designed to benefit the community in a substantial way, participate in state and local competitions in criminal justice and crime scene investigation, participate in fun collaborative team-building exercises, as well as participate in ride-along programs and other criminal justice learning opportunities outside of the formal classroom.

The club also promotes and works on crime prevention projects and programs, working to increase awareness and prevention of local issues, all while developing much-needed knowledge and relationships with local law enforcement entities and agencies, businesses, and stakeholders in the community.  Club members are collaboratively more serious about joining the ranks in law enforcement working to build a foundation of knowledge and success as they develop crucial skill sets. Along with the needed skill sets, is the educational values implemented within the parameters of the developing class and club structure, service above self, as a model of student dedication and service striving to better the community both within the school and outside of the school, all while striving to promote positive needed relations between law enforcement and the community. Thank you, Arin for your years of service and for continuing to inspire our youth. 

I sent Jeff a welcoming message on LinkedIn letting him know that our companies shared similar cultures and that I admired his work in law enforcement. His response was mutual and he expressed an interest in coming to our facility for a visit. Immediately I scheduled a visit and a week later he was at our warehouse. I took an interest in learning about his business and discovered that a lot of our products seemed right for his store, as we offered items he thought his loyal customers would appreciate. We talked about the best way for us to do business and we agreed that becoming a wholesaler with ataorganizasyon was a great start. As a wholesaler, Jeff receives perks by buying the products in bulk at a lower price, which helps reduce costs, allowing him to pass along the savings to his customers. Doing business with each other provided complimentary services since we interact with the same type of customers.

Jeff started CMI in 1996. In December 2010, CMI purchased their first commercial property with the intent of eventually expanding into the civilian firearms market. In 2011, Jeff returned to the police profession to finish the final three years that he needed to secure his pension. He proudly served as a police officer for the City of Wayne (a Detroit suburb) and honorably retired on October 24, 2014. In June of 2012, the renovations of the property were completed and the business transitioned into the 9,000-square foot facility. This allowed the company to begin sharing its collective knowledge on shooting, safety, and the use of deadly force with the citizens of Metro-Detroit. His company has continued to grow and thrive after 25 years of doing business.

The company serves a variety of clientele such as law enforcement, security, military, and the general public.  He has 37 hardworking people on board who support his vision. His headquarters is located in the heart of Livonia, Michigan. He says his success is directly related to the commitment and dedication to the satisfaction of their loyal customer base from the people who work for him. Over the years Jeff has formed long-lasting partnerships with his suppliers and vendors who help keep his customers happy. ataorganizasyon joined the ranks and is proud to announce that we are now one of his suppliers. Jeff has experience in the military and law enforcement which uniquely qualifies him to have a keen eye for creating innovative operational products and training concepts due to his experience. He designed these products and training concepts with the idea to help clients succeed and survive in a variety of environments. His products and training services are battle-tested and credited with reducing multiple deadly threats while saving the lives of his clients or others. 

He proudly served our country as a soldier in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1996 in both active and reserve duty capacities. During his military career, he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) and served as an infantryman and a Senior Drill Sergeant in a reserve basic training unit. In 1997, he went on to earn an associate degree from Schoolcraft College in criminal justice. In 1999, he graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. In 2003, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwood University in business management. Jeff also started his service in civilian law enforcement as an officer and sergeant in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth Township in 1991. He served on a multi-jurisdictional SWAT Team in a part-time capacity, as an operator, sniper, and sniper team leader. In 1992, under the instruction of the legendary Marine Corps Sniper, Carlos Hathcock, Jeff graduated from basic police sniper school. Jeff attributes his desire to become more educated, more dedicated to the profession, and more confident in taking calculated risks to the example set by Carlos Hathcock. He learned firsthand the consequences of flawed training and equipment when he was involved in two separate shootings in the early 1990s. This resulted in an insatiable quest to improve law enforcement firearms training and equipment. 

Jeff responded to a hostage rescue operation where the suspects had robbed a bank, fled, shot at pursuing officers, and then took a family hostage in their home. During this operation, and many others, he quickly learned that the police sniper was rarely in a prone shooting position and needed to be able to elevate the rifle on a stable platform to observe and shoot accurately. When researching the commercial industry, he learned a product that accommodates this situation did not exist yet. It inspired him to create his first product in 1995 called the Sharpshooters Rifle Rest. CMI was among the very first commercial rifle rest manufacturers in the market. A Rifle Rest that mounts to a tripod is now a common item in tactical shooting sports or in the sniping profession. Jeff is very proud to have played a role in starting this trend.

From the beginning, Jeff had the idea in mind to create equipment and training that would forever improve the police profession. Today, the CMI brand is known by law enforcement officers nationwide. CMI created equipment and training which has been used with great success by our nation’s most elite military units, federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. As a soldier and police officer with no business experience or education, Jeff found his fledgling company quickly failing due to cash flow issues. In 1997, he sought to correct that by becoming the first dealer of the SWAT Operator Insignia. Jeff put the insignia on his website and CMI’s cash flow problems were solved almost immediately. CMI bought all rights to this insignia and designed many other insignias currently worn by law enforcement officers worldwide. Eventually, the Sharpshooters Rifle Rest was sold into the military and used for military purposes as well.

Over the years Jeff has worked very hard at setting the standard of training for active shooter response school and a basic police sniper school. He is proud to be a leader in the industry who helped change the paradigm of how law enforcement responds to active shooters.  

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UPDATE (02/07/22): Jeff received a kidney donation from Jupiter Police Officer, Guy Kitchens at Largo Medical Center. Learn more here: Police officer donates kidney to retired first responder he'd never met.

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The car door flung open and a young Jeff slid inside. A SWAT member then said to him, “You ready for the ride of your life, kid?” It was Jeff’s father who gave him a look of reassurance through the rearview mirror of the car. As the son of an officer, Jeff often accompanied the SWAT team on ride-alongs involving petty crimes. This day was no exception. The sirens signaled as the adventure began for Jeff with his father, one of many more to come. 

Jeff’s childhood was filled with a full range of experiences involving law enforcement which deeply influenced his decision pursue a law enforcement career. After many years since his childhood experiences with his father on ride-alongs, Jeff became a Deputy for the polygraph unit at Broward County Sheriff’s Office located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

Jeff established an impressive career, assisting with numerous cases which led to the apprehension of criminals involved in identity thief, sexual abuse, and capital murder. All the while, Jeff has suffered from a hereditary condition known as Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The disease causes fluid-like sacs to develop on the kidneys (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). Jeff began to show symptoms of the disease as a young teen. Many individuals with PKD often fight against chronic pain and fatigue. Jeff’s discomfort became so severe that he had a morphine pump installed to help ease the painful symptoms. Members of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office have shown support and care by donating their vacation time to help extend Jeff’s sick leave, but he is still looking for a kidney donor with a blood type of A or O.

In addition to his accomplishments in the field, Jeff’s humility is truly admirable. Each day he met with individuals responsible for quite horrific crimes, yet his heart and positive outlook on life remained thriving and full of joy. There is a special place reserved for those who strive to find the light in the darkest of situations. His perspective is not only refreshing but infectious. I found myself questioning my own impact. It is rare to find someone who possesses such a strong moral character that it enriches your perspective and invites self-reflection. Jeff embodies the characteristics of selflessness, courage, and integrity that many officials in public service share. I feel fortunate to live in a world full of similar people who genuinely care about the well-being of others. 

Now more than ever in this challenging pandemic, we’ve needed to unite as a community to protect our overall health and well-being. With a similar mindset of community, there are over a hundred thousand people in our country that rely on others to receive life-saving transplants. Thousands of transplant patients wait months or even years before they receive their needed organ. An alarming statistic found that every nine minutes another person is added to the transplant waiting list (HRSA, 2021). An already lengthy process has been further extended due to new safety protocols and procedures enacted as a result of COVID-19. The more of us that volunteer to give who can, the quicker these patients can be saved. 

Selflessness is a commonality shared amongst the finest first responders. I encourage our ataorganizasyon Family to act in honor of their sacrifices. We must continue to look for ways to encourage, support, and uplift each other. Whether it be a salute, warm smile, or a kind word, these little acts of encouragement make a difference.

It is our pleasure and honor to share Jeff’s story. He is currently looking for a kidney donor with a blood type of A or O. If you would like to be accessed as a donor please contact Anna below.

Anna, Kidney Transplant Coordinator

Phone: (727) 588-5837 

Largo Medical Donor Registration 

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References: 

HRSA/OrganDonor.Gov. (2021) 

Retrieved from https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/organ-donation-statistics 

Cleveland Clinic (2021) 

Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/5791-polycystic-kidney-disease 

Abigail was first diagnosed with stage 4 Wilms' tumor in February 2017. She began treatment at Texas Children's Hospital, where she went through 90 rounds of chemotherapy, in addition to eight consecutive days of radiation and surgery to remove the tumor. She fought strong but the cancer returned in April 2018. 

A few months later, Abigail and her family met with the Freeport Police Chief Ray Garivey and they bonded. Abigail told Chief Ray Garivey that she wanted to become a police officer when she grew up - and so her wish was granted. Chief Garivey reached out to an organization in Pearland called Cop Stop and asked for a custom Freeport police uniform made especially for Abigail. She even got her own pink handcuffs with her name printed on them. She was sworn in on Feb. 7, 2019, surrounded by loved ones and officers from several different agencies around Texas. "Her spirit, her toughness, her will to survive, that's what (we believe in)," Garivey said during the ceremony. She became known on the job as Officer Arias 758. 

The honorary officer Arias put up a fight and lived her life to the fullest during her battle, but tragedy came and the cancer spread to both of her lungs. She died on November 5, 2019. Chief Garivey said, “Her love, compassion, and most importantly, her magnanimous spirit, will live on for generations to come. It’s both our duty and privilege to embody what Abigail taught us: to live life to the fullest, to never give up hope no matter the odds, to fight “the bad guys” passionately, and most importantly, to love one another - and always Stay Relentless!” A classmate of her’s said, “Abigail's soul was pure life.”

At ataorganizasyon , it was our privilege and honor to create something special in memory of Abigail. We crafted Abigail Coins and donated them to the Freeport Police Department who then gifted them during the holidays.

We remember & honor Officer Arias 758. Thank you for reading about her story.

On Sunday, September 9, 2012, in Andrew's home town, Sergeant Patrick John O'Rourke was killed in the line of duty. Andrew attended the memorial ceremony and was deeply moved by this tragedy. After the death of the officer, Andrew's father, who runs a company in the plastics industry, came to the department asking how he could help them. The department responded by saying they would like to send members from their agency along with Officers who were at the scene of the tragic shooting of Officer O’Rourke to Washington DC for police week. Andrew's father agreed to send 16 department members to attend National Police Week. This act of kindness afforded 6 Honor Guards, 2 Dispatchers, 1 PSA, 5 Officers and the Chief and Deputy Chief to attend the dedication in Washington DC for Sgt. Patrick O’Rourke whose name was being inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial that year.

Soon, Andrew's father wanted to extend even more help to the West Bloomfield Police Department. He worked with the deputy chief of police of West Bloomfield and developed a scholarship program for officers' children. Andrew's father pioneered the scholarship program and when Andrew, founded ataorganizasyon , ataorganizasyon joined the scholarship program. To date Andrew's father's company and ataorganizasyon have donated €80,000+ to the scholarship program.

It has been over 8 years since we sadly lost Sergeant Patrick O'Rourke on September 9, 2012. Sergeant O’Rourke worked for the Bloomfield Police Department for 12 years, his badge number was 55 and he was known to his colleagues as Rudy. I took the time to reach out to the department to ask them to share some of the memories they had of their friend and colleague. Deputy Chief Curt Lawson remembers his quiet demeanor and generosity. Lawson and O'Rourke worked together as undercover officers for the regional surveillance unit called SONIC (Southern Oakland Narcotics Intelligence Consortium). Many community police departments, including Novi, Farmington Hills, and West Bloomfield, have had dedicated members in SONIC. O'Rourke and Lawson spent many hours together doing surveillance on suspects responsible for major crimes. They talked about their families and about their futures. Lawson says that losing Sergeant O'Rourke was immeasurable to the entire department. Shortly after losing Sergeant O'Rourke, Deputy Chief Curt served in the role as the financial Liaison and managed funds from the community, state and federal level for Sergeant O'Rourke’s family.

Sergeant Tom Carline and Sergeant Patrick O'Rourke’s worked for several years together while in the SONIC task force team. Sergeant O'Rourke worked surveillance and narcotics in the task force for approximately 6 years throughout Southeast Michigan. He was a senior Detective in the task force and was known for his calm demeanor regardless of the chaotic circumstances surrounding them, whether it was vehicle pursuit or fighting with a suspect(s) who were actively resisting. According to Carline, Sergeant O'Rourke’s calm demeanor and ability to make solid quick decisions were one of the reasons he was often the first guy in the door on search warrants. The execution of search warrants is a very dangerous job where things can go bad very fast. Sergeant O'Rourke was also known by his colleagues for being very good at conducting surveillance, which Carline admits doesn't come easy for many Detectives.

We remember and pay tribute to Sergeant Patrick O'Rourke. May his memory continue to be a blessing to his family, community, and the greater ataorganizasyon community.

Mick called on his best friend since the 7th grade, Mike Pavolino. He knew Mike would support his ideas about starting a non-profit. He described Mike as one of the smartest, most dedicated and caring people he knows. He went on to say that Mike offers a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His experiences come from over 26 years of serving in the military, including multiple years of working as a police officer. During Mike’s military career he was taught how to handle mood disorders, including depression, stress, PTSD and anxiety for the military troops. Mick explained he could not imagine walking through this journey with anyone else other than Mike. Joining forces, Mick and Mike formed the organization called First Responders Bridge. 

During the developmental stages, their goals remained constant. They were going to promote personal growth and healthy relationships in a safe and confidential environment. They were going to focus on helping all first responders and their significant others cope with loss and tragedy. More importantly, they knew they needed to put together a great board made up of clinicians, first responders, and business leaders in order for it to be successful. The First Responders Bridge put together a great team of board members who are smart business people and leaders in the community. Mick and Mike brought in JR McCullough, a longtime businessman in Columbus, as a Partner for the non-profit, and Hugh Cathey, a very successful businessman and the Board Chair, who has served on the board of numerous nonprofits across the State of Ohio. The board members along with the incredible board of trustees, serve as leaders in the community and have worked hard at advancing the mission of the organization by providing dedication and support. 

Trusted friends are also important in advancing an organization. You can say that about Pete Miller who has played an important role in helping introduce me to Mick. The first time I heard about Mick and the First Responders Bridge retreats was during a conversation I had with Pete, who started out as a contact on LinkedIn and is now considered my friend as well. Pete posted articles addressing PTSD and information about the First Responders Bridge upcoming retreat. PTSD was something I was already researching and writing about in my blog articles and addressing during my Police Wives interviews. However, Pete’s messages on LinkedIn piqued my interest and I wanted to learn more about the disorder. After reaching out to him he talked about the retreats and suggested I contact Mick to help me learn more. 

When I contacted Mick I found him easy to talk to and during our conversation, he surprised me with an invitation to come to the retreat that was held in February of last year. I kindly accepted his offer. It was a dynamic 3-day retreat held at the Marriott Hotel in Dublin Ohio. All expenses were paid for active and retired first responders and their families, loved ones, or caregivers who were experiencing, or have experienced, any traumatic or life-altering event. During The Bridge retreats, attendees received information concerning their health and wellbeing as it relates to trauma or traumatic events. There were keynote speakers and peer speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences. There were breakout sessions where you met in small groups and there were opportunities for fellowship during mealtime. On Saturday night we were entertained by Commander Vinnie Montez from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, who is also a stand-up comedian. Sunday was the last day of the retreat and was an emotional day for all of us. We listened to keynote speaker Michael McSellers, who led us into song and prayer. The music selection was moving as we were listening to Robyn Slade songs, Hero’s Heart and Hurt Locker. As Michael played the song, Waymaker, sung by Melody Joy Cloud, he invited us up to the stage to pray with him. His words were encouraging but emotional as we all gathered around him. It was a great ending to one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

We must never forget that so many officers are struggling with PTSD and deal with negative coping strategies that seem helpful on the spur of the moment, but soon turn self-destructive in the long-term. Many resort to alcohol or recreational drugs to numb their feelings, decrease stress, or even to quiet their thoughts if the proper help is not offered to them. As I learn more about PTSD through my research, statistics remind me that more than 50% of law enforcement officers regularly experience psychological trauma due to highly stressful events. Exposure to traumatic events puts them at risk of developing symptoms leading to PTSD. Some studies even suggest that 19% to 34% of sworn officers currently struggle with PTSD. This would include first responders, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), paramedics, and dispatch workers. All of which are at a higher risk of developing PTSD. 

For Mick, he understood the stress and trauma that comes with police work. He grew up in a law enforcement family and when he was old enough, he started his police career in 1990 in Clinton Township, a suburb of Columbus, and then in 1991 started working with the Columbus Police Department until medically retiring in 2012. Retirement was not easy for him, as it meant a loss of identity. He spent years of working patrol and working covert assignments, as well as a boxing instructor for cadets who came through the police academy. Mick felt disconnected, as being a police officer was how he defined himself and retirement caused him to question who he was. He said it took him about a year to get over the loss of being away from the work he grew to love. Today he will tell you he has found his purpose again after starting the First Responders Bridge organization. The retreats are a reminder that he is helping hurting people and rebuilding stronger communities.

To learn more about First Responders’ Bridge, or to make a donation, please visit here:

https://www.ataorganizasyon.com/

Register for the 2021 Bridge Retreat Here: 
https://www.ataorganizasyon.com/retreat-registration/

View Robyn Slade's songs here:

https://www.ataorganizasyon.com/robynslademusic/

Adam grew up in a religious home in the bible belt of southern Alabama. His mother remarried a man who was a preacher which meant as a family they spent a lot of time in church. He felt privileged growing up in a religious environment and he didn’t consider himself lucky but that God placed him there for a purpose. He realized growing up in that kind of environment made him become rather religious but what it didn’t do was teach him how to have a personal relationship with God. All-in-all he said it was a wonderful blessing to be raised in a religious environment. But, in his mind, sadly, he thought God was still a harsh God who was holding a big hammer with a red button waiting for him to mess up. You see, Adam had a secret that he didn’t share with anyone. Sadly, he experienced childhood sexual abuse that left him traumatized most of his life. Before his mother remarried Adam’s childhood was not easy, in fact it was very hard. It wasn’t until he was in his early twenties he was able to talk about the abuse out of pure shame, but the wounds were still not healed. He learned at an early age to hide his feelings. Only two people knew he was hurting — him and God. Holding it in seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but soon he realized that God wanted Adam to trust Him which in time was something that he turned to during his darkest hours. 

Because of Adams devastating childhood experience, he lost hope in his ability to change his life or change his painful situation which led to feelings of hopelessness. He finally felt he found hope in some of his step father's friends who were police officers. He referred to them as good men. He admired their work so much that he deliberately started plotting his life course to become just like them. He knew early on he wanted to be in that role. Finally in 2009 Adam became a Alabama police officer and for 6 years served his community. He loved his work but quickly learned that officer’s are so ingrained with a “tough guy” mindset that it gave him more reasons to bury his childhood struggles as far under the surface as possible. He downplayed his failures, rationalized, hid his fears and projected a message telling everyone around him that he was ok. But, in reality he wasn’t ok. He believed that bringing his story to the surface would not help him or anyone else. He thought he was hiding it well by keeping his emotions hidden, which only led him down an even darker path of self destruction. 

Sadly, Adam began abusing alcohol. The alcohol abuse was destroying his sense of self-confidence and was eroding his self-esteem leaving deep emotional scars that were only complicating his emotional fragility and instability. This was causing him to not trust anyone and to have unhealthy relationships. His marriage was being threatened by his addiction making it difficult for his wife to stay with their children. The devastating split caused him even more emotional trauma, that left him feeling paralized. All of this led Adam to consider suicide as an unfortunate option. Early one Sunday morning around 2 AM he parked his police car in a dark wooded area where no one could see him end his life. He was tired of struggling and to him suicide seemed like the right thing to do. Feeling alone and empty he cried out to God begging him for answers. He said he remembers having a moment of clarity knowing that God was at work in his life even when it didn’t look that way he knew it to be true. While sitting in his car he began to realize that his life had purpose and that he had so much to live for. As he began to heal he understood that his story could bring so much value to others who were suffering just like he suffered. Making it okay to share his story taught him a valuable lesson. That a healthy relationship with God has never been a straight line, but rather a squiggly, sometimes uncertain journey, and that he could bring tremendous value to the world by opening up. Every aspect of Adams' life changed because he made that decision to go on living. Today Adam is an author of several inspirational books like Behind the Badge: 365 Daily Devotions for Law Enforcement, Bulletproof Marriage: a 90-Day Devotional (with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman) and On Spiritual Combat: 30 Missions for Victorious Warfare (with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman.). He is a motivational speaker and has delivered his message at many events around the country. He focuses on helping law enforcement officers at all levels, loved ones, as well as those who support law enforcement, to understand how to get through the tough challenges of life. HIs message delivers faith, hope, and love to those who serve. He is also the spokesperson for REBOOT Recovery First Responders, a non-profit organization which focuses on providing faith-based trauma healing for first responders and service members. He is supported by his wife, Amber, of 20 years, and three children. 

Pictured: Officer Davis being Sworn in as Officer

We want to thank our police officers and want them to know we appreciate all they do and stand behind them. Where would we be without our police officers and first responders? We’d be in a world of hurt.

*To learn more about Adam Davis and his work follow this link to his website. 

Gabby and her dad were tired of seeing law enforcement viewed in a negative light and hoped that through the video it would help change people's perceptions of cops everywhere. As their conversations began to unfold she realized her dad wanted her to also play the role of the main character in the video. Production was going to start right away, according to her father, which meant Gabby needed to learn a new song and gear up to play her part in the video. She admitted she felt scared and underprepared, considering the expectations of her dad to start immediately. He was confident that she could do it and believed in the message so strong that he didn’t want to waste any time. 

The video, Somebody’s Prayin’ was produced by the Center for Creative Media and in February 2019 it was released to the public. The positive response from social media was overwhelming. The communities and the law enforcement families across our nation rallied around the message of support for law enforcement. Both Gabby and her dad felt their hard work and efforts paid off and they felt so proud to be a part of this amazing project. It was hard for Gabby to believe that she could make such an impact on so many people and that she was helping shape the perceptions of people through her music.

Gabby was born in Pearl, Mississippi, and when she was around 6 months old, her family moved back to Glen Rose, Texas. It meant starting a new chapter for the family and a fresh new start. Glen Rose was a place where they felt safe and secure and where they once found unity. To Gabby’s parents, they knew it would be a blessing to have their children grow up in this same community. They wanted to go back to their roots where they could share their sadness and happiness with many of their extended family who still lived in Glen Rose. 

When she was only three years old, her parents divorced. And, like many families facing a divorce, it brought with it some challenges of its own. For the girls, it meant they would be moving to a 92-acre farm. This wasn’t a bad change for Gabby and her older sister Ayron. They were very close, and nothing brought them more joy than living in the countryside and running freely through wide-open spaces. Gabby describes her older sister, Ayron, as a beautiful spirit who’s had to face a few too many obstacles. Ayron has always managed to see the best in everyone she meets- almost to a fault, according to Gabby, but she is proud of her older sister and has witnessed her strength of character many times as she’s turned her life around for good more than once. The girls were fortunate, they had each other and two very loving parents. Since her parents shared custody, that meant going back and forth between two homes. Divorce can be difficult for kids to handle, but Gabby felt her parents managed to keep their lives fairly structured. As they got older, visitations became more relaxed and the girls had more of a say about where they were going to spend their time and with what parent. Gabby will tell you that she grew up in a very supportive family. 

Both of Gabby’s parents remarried and that meant blending families, including children from previous relationships. She became very close to her step mother's youngest son, Jordan. They were almost the same age and she felt he was someone she could really trust. As they got older, Jordan enlisted in the Army and did two tours of duty while in service, one was in Afghanistan and the other in Iraq. As a service member in Afghanistan, Jordan sustained injuries to his knee and back but finished his tour of duty. After being honorably discharged from the military, Gabby noticed a change in him once he was home. His body was beaten down and tired after being in combat for the majority of the time. Jordan didn’t have a solid plan established for his new life, and coping meant spending time with the wrong crowd and using heroin. When the family discovered he was using, Jordan's drug abuse had gotten so bad that he was facing possible drug charges. Through the loving support of his family, his parents placed him in a rehabilitation center in Hamilton Texas to receive treatment. It turned his life around. After several years of drug treatment and sobriety, Jordan enrolled in college and is currently studying to become a drug counselor. His plans are to help others who are facing similar problems that he has faced. 

Shortly after graduating from high school, Gabby didn’t really know what she wanted to do for work nor did she have a clear direction for her career goals. At this same time, her grandfather’s health started worsening and eventually was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her grandmother couldn’t meet his growing needs and placed him in a nursing home. Every time Gabby went to visit her grandfather she had this gnawing feeling inside telling her she could provide better care than what he was getting at the time. She was very close to her grandparents and knew somehow she wanted to help them. She decided the best way to help them was to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). After she completed her certification she started working in the nursing home where her grandfather was residing and took care of him until he passed away. She looks back at that time with fond memories knowing that her “Pops” received the best care possible from her loving hands. 

As the old saying goes, “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree,” could best describe the similarities Gabby shares with her other grandfather, she calls Grampo. He served as a Sheriff in New Mexico before she was born. She remembers the stories about him being a combat veteran and serving his country but didn’t hear the stories about him serving as a Sheriff until she got older. Little did she know, she would be serving her community as a deputy just like Grampo did many years ago. Grampo still lives in the community he once served as a Sheriff and the people of the town still speak very highly of him. Gabby will tell you her Grampo is the real deal. She learned so much from him and is so proud of the fact that while he served as Sheriff his goals were to always do his best for the people of the town, and used his position to help make it a better place to live.    

She felt blessed to come from good stock, her grandparents and parents were people she was proud of. Her mother who was the stricter parent kept her and her sister on track just like the generation before her. Both her parents were involved in the church and really taught Gabby about values and about loving God. She can still remember people coming over to the house visiting and having supper most every Sunday. Her mom, who loved to cook, also loved people just as much. Her mother has what Gabby calls a “servant’s heart” and because of it, was able to draw a lot of strength from her mom. Her mother’s favorite saying that she quoted over and over again to her daughters was, “it always works out,” and this has become Gabby’s mantra and way of thinking for her own life challenges. When the chips were down, Gabby knew she could always turn to her mom for help. 

Gabby was a single parent raising her daughter Macie and still thinking she wanted to become a nurse. Becoming a nurse meant going back to school and making more money, but she knew if she was going to pursue this dream she would need help. Her mom was in transition and so was Gabby- the perfect storm. They decided to pull their resources together and established a good living situation for both of them. They agreed to live together for 6 months, her mom would help care for Gabby’s only daughter at the time while she was working. Shortly after moving in, Gabby found out she was pregnant with her second daughter, Mollie. What started as a temporary living situation actually lasted for 7 years. During that time Gabby was encouraged by a family friend, to consider a position that was available at the jail in Ector County. The job paid well and offered benefits, both of which she needed, and even though she was nervous about taking the job she decided to apply anyway. Her prayers were answered when they hired her on the spot. She started working on the floor and surprisingly really enjoyed working in the jail. Her job consisted of serving the inmates meals, administering medications, and instilling values, rules, and keeping the peace. What she liked most about the job was being surrounded by people and listening to the inmates' stories.  

Gabby discovered a lot about the inmates and she was intrigued by their stories. She wanted to know how they got to this place and she wanted to help them if she could. What she learned was that many of them were really good people who happened to make some really bad choices. The job allowed her to increase her skill set by having opportunities to work in the booking department and as the acting supervisor. She really loved the work, it wasn’t just a job to her but she felt it was a calling. She felt needed and respected by the people she worked with, admiring their dedication to police work. This helped her to make the decision to enroll in the police academy and to change her career path from nursing to becoming a police officer. 

Now a mother of two young girls, she knew that going to the police academy was going to be tough. The academy is a 21 week-long program that demands a lot of time. Academics are very important in the police academy. Recruits usually take at least one test a week while in the training, and there are strict rules in place about getting passing scores. She developed effective study habits, which were essential for academic success. Besides the academic requirements, as a recruit, she had to be proficient in several areas considered to be "high liabilities." These subjects included firearms, defensive tactics, first aid, and vehicle operations. The high liability courses involved long and grueling days. She completed the course and graduated top of her class, passing most of her tests with a 94% or higher. This placed her at greater advantage, first because of her academic excellence, secondly because she is a female. Academy life was both strenuous and exhausting, but it also had fun moments as well for Gabby. She will tell you, those who could tough it out in the academy came out smarter and stronger for their efforts.  

The desire to leave Ector County grew stronger in Gabby, feeling it was time to leave a life where working in the jail no longer met her growing needs. After leaving she was hired to work for the city of Andrews Police Department. One of the requirements of the job was to cross-train as a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The other requirement was not as simple, she had to live in Andrews county in the event she was called out on an EMS call. Her house was located in Odessa, which meant she would have to move. Passing the EMS state certification requirements came easy for her, but selling a house was much more complicated. 

While working for Andrews, she was recognized as the first female commissioned deputy hired to work at the sheriff’s office. It was such a sensation in her town that it became newsworthy. It was another proud moment for her. This was a happy time because of all the positive changes that were happening. But with those changes, there were also changes that brought her some heartache. Her marriage was ending and she was selling her beloved home. Feeling overwhelmed, she decided to take a much-needed trip to where she grew up, Glen Rose, the place she treasures most and where many of her family and friends still reside. During her visit, she couldn’t stop thinking about how nice it would be to live there again. It was two long years since her last visit and she had forgotten how much she loved it there. The visit helped her make the decision to move back to her hometown. Making a decision like this also meant she would have to leave Andrew’s Police Department.

Gabby felt really bad about her decision. Unfulfilled promises were just not her style. But, she knew she had to follow her heart, she moved forward with her decision and left Andrew’s after only working for them for 7 months.  She was afraid to be labeled a gypsy cop, this is when cops frequently transfer between police departments. That wasn’t her character nor the label she wanted to carry with her into her new position. After working in west Texas for 7 years, she packed up her family and all her belongings to start a new life in Glen Rose. She was, jobless, unmarried, without a home and now a mother of 2 moving into her dad’s home. She stayed with them on the farm until she found a job. 

When life becomes difficult, Gabby saw it as an opportunity to become tougher. Moving meant taking some risk but taking the risk was part of the mental toughness Gabby developed over the years. Trusting the process, she got back on her feet and within a short period of time, began working for Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. When she started with the sheriff’s office they placed her in the transportation division, transferring inmates from jail to jail. As a female officer, she was met with some challenges. She was not always seen as an authority figure but being female also had its perks. In some cases, people felt more comfortable interacting with her than they did with her male counterparts. As a patrol deputy, she took a vow to provide public safety and to maintain order in her community. Promoting good community relations has been the key to her success. The job has taught her patience and to be a good communicator. More importantly, learning good social interaction skills proved to be valuable when dealing with people under stressful situations. On any given day you will find her cracking jokes and keeping it light during traffic stops. At this time she met her ex-husband, who was working in the booking department at the sheriff’s office. The first time they interacted was during a physical altercation he was having with an inmate. She was nearby and heard the struggles. When she realized there was an officer needing help, she assisted. They were married for 5 years and had a son together. They co-parent their children and have remained good friends.

Currently, Gabby is assigned to the South Patrol Division. She works very hard at maintaining order in Tarrant county, and many times sees things that she wishes she never had to see. Dealing with victims of crime and families of lost loved ones is difficult and painful, but it’s the nature of the job. She’s proud to be a public servant, and she understands that public service is largely about sacrifice. When she took the job, she knew she was joining one of the most challenging careers. A career that depends on her to protect and serve the community. The thing that keeps her motivated is helping people, especially kids. She feels very fortunate to have a job where she can help so many people and to work with Sheriff like Bill E. Waybourn who, to her, is a wonderful man to work for. 

There are many facets to Gabby’s personality that she doesn't use in her everyday life. One of them is the ability to sing. When she first started singing publicly she was only 4 years old. She remembers going with her dad to the local nursing homes singing Christmas carols and singing in the church choir. By the age of 10, she started singing in honky-tonks and belting out country music and rock tunes to large crowds. She believes her singing abilities came from her dad who was a singer and musician in numerous bands over the years. Several years ago, her dad started a nonprofit called, Father’s House Educational Foundation. About 6 to 9 months out of the year he lives in Israel where he is sponsoring orphanages and going on archaeological digs. Most of his time is spent spreading the gospel and connecting spiritually with the people of Israel. Gabby says her dad is such an inspiration to her and music has never left his soul. More recently, she was elected by the residents of her district for city council and sworn in office as the City Alderwoman Place 4 on May 15th. She is excited about representing the people of her community and doing what’s in the residents’ best interest. 

If you had a chance to sit down and talk to Gabby, she would tell you she likes to keep her life in balance and her children are the stabilizers. She likes to stay light-hearted, but when it comes to parenting, she’s pretty strict. She believes in teaching them to love but she believes in teaching them to be strong, especially in a world where things are not always fair. Her daughters are now 10 and 12 and very smart and talented young ladies. The baby of the family, her sweet son Jordan, is now 3 years old and has all of them wrapped around his little finger. He loves swimming and fishing. And, he would tell you that he’s scared of worms and snakes. But, without missing a beat, Gabby would reassure him that he has nothing to worry about, his mama will always be there to protect him.

The ambush shooting that critically wounded two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies prompted the widow of a Cincinnati police officer killed in the line of duty more than two decades ago to speak and share a message.

343 Firefighters.
60 Police Officers.
8 Paramedics. 
3,000 Americans.

We will never forget.

How in that smoke's silver lining,
Stood a Line of Blue
A Line of Red
And a Line of White

To show the world, these colors don't run.

----

September 11th, 2001. It was a pivotal day in our country’s history. We were devastated, but afterwards we unified and worked hard to rebuild what was lost. The extraordinary bravery exhibited by our first responders, rushing towards the flames, will never be forgotten. The 343 firefighters that gave their lives. The 60 police officers that gave their lives. The 8 paramedics that gave their lives. And the 3,000 Americans that were ripped away from their families by unprecedented terror. These are our heroes.

Two years ago, on April 27, 2018, Nogales Police Officer Jesus Cordova was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a carjacking suspect. Left behind were his wife, Alyssa, and their 4 young children to cope with the loss. Once we heard the news about Officer Cordova, as the Community Directory for ataorganizasyon (TBL), I reached out to the Nogales Police Department to send our condolences and to offer help for the Cordova family. I let them know that we had plans to start a fundraiser in memory of Police Officer Jesus “Chuy” Cordova. The department put me in touch with Alyssa, and Alyssa expressed to me how touched she was by our support and that the fundraiser would be a wonderful contribution to her husband’s memory. TBL was able to raise €1,524.63 and the funds were donated to the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) organization as requested by Alyssa. C.O.P.S is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides resources to help rebuild the lives of survivors of fallen officers. In memory of Officer Cordova, C.O.P.S. created a tile with Officer’s Cordova’s name engraved on it and today it is part of the Road of Hope at the C.O.P.S headquarters in Camdenton Missouri.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Alyssa and asked her to be a part of a new project that we are working on. I let her know that TBL wanted to shed a more positive light on police officers during these challenging times by sharing stories like Alyssa's that offered hope. I talked to her about the day when she got the call that her husband had been shot and later did not survive, she said it was the most difficult thing she’s ever had to go through, but today is finding new ways to cope with her loss. At the time of her husband’s death she was pregnant with their 4th child, who she says looks just like Jesus, and their 3 children under the age of 7 to raise on her own. She admits, when she looks into her children's eyes, it’s a reminder to her that life must go on and that she must stay strong for them. Alyssa does everything in her power to make her children’s lives as normal as possible. One of the changes she had to make shortly after Jesus died was to move from the town she called home. His death was so public and everyday she was hounded by the press and people in her community, asking her questions and not respecting her privacy. Alyssa called it “negative attention” that was too hard for her to handle. She knew in order to bring back stability into her life she would have to move away in order to start anew. For Alyssa, that meant leaving behind the home she shared with Jesus and the people she loved the most. She said that was a very difficult decision to make. As we talked, she let me know that Jesus was a kind man who loved his family and the community he served. She said he was respectful and very protective when it came to her and their children. As our conversation continued I realized how strong Alyssa was and how proud I was of all the things she had accomplished in a very short period of time.  

Alyssa is on a mission and learning to move forward while keeping her husband’s memory alive. She now travels with her 4 children and her family, to attend or speak at events honoring her husband and other fallen officers. She is making it a point to be wherever Jesus will be honored for his bravery and dedication to his work in law enforcement. She had the privilege of meeting President Trump during Police Week in May of 2018 when they honored Jesus for his service and sacrifice. Alyssa continues her work for the ataorganizasyon family and considers herself to be an advocate for survivors of the fallen. She wants to help others by being the voice for so many survivors who have to cope with the sudden loss of a loved one. She takes her responsibilities very seriously and understands what survivors have to face after such a great loss. She continues to work closely with the 100 Club of Arizona, a non-profit organization that provides immediate financial assistance to families of public safety officers and firefighters who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. She is also very thankful to KOLD News 13 for their station having a diaper and baby wipes drive; the abundant supply of donations that she received has lasted for over 2 years. 

 From her husband's death she learned that life is too short to waste and it’s taught her not to take things for granted like her health. Good nutrition and exercise has become a part of her daily routine. She says the love from family, from strangers, from the law enforcement community, and from her husband is what keeps her going. Everyday she is grateful for the time she had with Jesus and that she is proud to be a police wife. It breaks her heart to see the crisis that is happening to our law enforcement today, understanding that law enforcement across the United States is facing unprecedented challenges. Her hope is that someday people will see more good in our officers and come to understand that their jobs are a calling that is taken seriously, as it was for Jesus. She knows first hand that police officers are very concerned for their community and its members. She believes every day gets more stressful for our officers as they watch the crisis unfold when really all they wish for is peace in their communities.

Throughout the course of an officer’s life they have touched countless people’s lives. Therefore, the lost life of an officer is considered a loss to the community as a whole. Last September, the community of Tuscaloosa felt the loss of Officer Dornell Cousette. We reflect on Dornell’s life and contributions with a heavy heart. 

His life was full of sacrifice for the good of others. Investigator Cousette dedicated his life to protecting and fighting for the youth. He won many departmental awards of excellence for his work, which specialized in fighting child sexual and physical abuse (Tuscaloosa, 2019). In addition to his 13 years with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, he also served as a US Army Veteran. 

Officer Cousette never made the drive home to his Fiancé and young daughters on the night he was killed. “Cousette...made a choice, Maddox said. “His choice was courage. His choice was duty. His choice was fidelity to all. Simply put, Investigator Cousette chose hope. Now all of us have a decision to make because just honoring his sacrifice is not enough and it will never be enough.” (Al, 2019). The city council has reached a unanimous decision to change the name of 35th Street to Investigator Dornell Cousette Street. “Officer Cousette didn’t get to go home the night of Sept. 16, 2019, but I think he’d be happy knowing that he’s on our minds every day that we get to,” Chief Brent Blankley said in the statement. “It’s not something we take for granted.” (The Associated Press, 2019).

As Mayor Walt Maddox said, “Although the conditions that create the crime are far beyond the control of law enforcement, …(we) believe it is the thin blue line that separates hope from despair.” (Al, 2019). 

ataorganizasyon recognizes that it is hope that creates the future we all wish to see.

I started interviewing the women for the police wives series over a year ago. I interviewed a total of 11 police wives for Season 1 and what I learned from them was pretty amazing. I thought I had a fairly good grasp of what police work entailed, but had no idea what it was like for these officers behind the scenes and what that meant for the women who loved them. I started out with a basic understanding that law enforcement officers work demanding schedules characterized by long hours, weekends, holidays, and night shifts. As a result, many of them suffer irregular sleep patterns and severe fatigue. Of course, police services are needed 24 hours a day and their work is inherently risky. Law enforcement officers have to face the constant threat of being attacked, wounded or even killed when dealing with suspects or handling other dangerous situations in the line of duty. Sadly, some officers develop mental health issues as a result of working long hours in stressful conditions. I began to learn that many of them suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder {PTSD}. It is reported that some of the classic symptoms of PTSD are the inability to sleep, nightmares, intrusive memories that don’t fade in intensity, physical reactions to places or other things associated with the event, the feeling of always being on guard or feeling numb. As I discovered more about these families, I began to understand how they coped with a lot of these challenges that they were facing. I started to see a common thread among them that helped them hold their families together. It was a bond of love and commitment to each other.

As I interviewed these women one by one, they told me how much they loved their husbands and stood beside them while watching them suffer. Many of these officers came home feeling overwhelmed from their work responsibilities and had difficulty letting go. It took time for them to decompress and get into family mode. The women expressed how their husband guarded themselves because they didn’t want to concern their wives with the intricate details of their day but instead wanted to protect them from the bad they had to experience. The wives had similar stories of how they could read their husbands faces the minute they walked in the door and knew almost immediately how their days went. Sometimes their husbands needed more time to transform from being “officer” to being “self.” Switching gears took them time which meant these women had to be patient and strong, relying on their faith to find balance. The women described their husbands work as being satisfying, rewarding, saddening, lonely, and fulfilling all wrapped up in one day. 

They reassured me after years of practice they found solutions that helped keep their marriages intact. Some of the women used code words as a warning sign to their husband that they were still in “officer” mode letting them know they needed to come back to “self.” Others gave their husband space, by letting them escape for an hour after they got home from work. Some of these officers had to get out of their uniforms and wash away the day by showering, where others would watch tv or workout. Self care for these women meant allowing themselves to have alone time or getting together with friends. Many of them found solace in chat rooms with other police wives, knowing they would understand their challenges. Most of these women had fulfilling careers and found time to be involved in their communities. They knew going into the marriage would mean spending holidays, birthdays, and going on outings alone. They understood they had to schedule time with their husbands and perform most of the household chores. They felt, at times, that they were raising their children as a single parent. But, they told me they would not change their lives and they were proud of their husbands. They respected their husbands work and everyday gave thanks that they made it home safely.

These women have inspired me and now that Season 1 is finished I have started working on Season 2 with a whole new group of police wives who are just as relatable. Their messages will continue to offer hope to so many families who tune in. As the Community Director for ataorganizasyon , I will continue to help build bridges that connect us with our community, by bringing you more projects like the Police Wives series. I believe great achievements start with passion. Passion is what fuels everything. Shared passion and shared belief, is what motivates people, it gives them a sense of belonging and excites them about accomplishing the same mission and being a part of a movement. ataorganizasyon and the police wives who were interviewed share a very similar mission, and that is to stand beside our officers. BACK the BLUE!

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As a company, recognizing there is a need during the holidays led to an important conversation I had with our local Police Chief, Ron Moore from the Wixom Police Department. I asked him how our company could get more involved in the community during the holidays and I shared my ideas with him. He told me that most local food pantries need help during the holidays and that one way The Wixom Police Department was helping was through a campaign called “Stuff the Squad Car” where the contributions from the campaign would be donated to the Hospitality House Food Pantry. Immediately he connected me to the Executive Director from the Hospitality House, Donovan Neal. After speaking to Donavan I decided one of the ways I could best serve them is by volunteering my time at the food pantry. The Hospitality House Food Pantry is a non-profit organization that feeds on average 550 households and distributes over 30,000 pounds of food monthly. The communities they serve are Walled Lake, Wixom, and Novi. Hospitality House was chosen again this year to be the recipient of the gift donations collected from the campaign. We wanted to be a part of this project and so we issued a “call to action” and got to work on creating an ad to post on our social media sites encouraging people to drop off new, unwrapped toys, books, and clothing at the Wixom PD. After the campaign was completed, the Hospitality House would than hosts their annual event called “Santa Shop.”  Santa Shop provides a free shopping experience for clients who, assisted by an elf escort, helps them choose gifts for their children from a puzzle table, a book table, a clothing table, and a game table. They provide a wrapping station, a visit from Santa, and a craft area to help keep children occupied as their parent's shop. This was the Wixom PD’ third year to partner with the Hospitality House in the Stuff the Squad Car campaign. And, through their generous donations and the help of local businesses more than 600 children, ranging in age from birth to 18, had a very happy holiday.

The giving continued as I reached out to the Wixom Fire Department to work with Firefighter Dave Stewart. I informed him that our CEO, Andrew Jacob would be honored to help the Wixom Firefighters Foundation again this year by donating bracelets and stickers and by sponsoring their 39th annual “Breakfast with Santa.” The activities for the event included a pancake breakfast along with a visit from Santa, gift-giving and so much more for 500 children ranging from ages 10 and under. We also worked alongside our local Police Chief Ellsworth and Police Sergeant Marasco from the Wolverine Lake Police Department and Alex McLellan, Lodge President from the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 by donating custom bracelets including ataorganizasyon American Flag stickers to hand out to the children during the “Shop with a Hero” event. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 128 (Stanley Clark Southwestern Oakland County) and the West Bloomfield Police Foundation has sponsored the annual Shop with a Hero/Cops-n-kids holiday event every year during the month of December at the Meijer in Wixom. That evening I had the pleasure of helping one of the officers from West Bloomfield Police Department shop side by side with one of the Forty lucky children who were treated to a pizza party and a €200 gift card all provided by Meijer. The kids were also given holiday stockings filled with goodies and their parents were given all the fixings for a holiday feast. There is nothing more fulfilling than making the holiday season a little more merry and bright for some of the local children and their families.

A couple of us one morning made our way to the City of Southfield fire department spreading good cheer by handing out ataorganizasyon apparel and delicious holiday baked goods. It was such a privilege to spend time with some of the firefighters and Fire Chief Johnny Menifee, along with Police Chief Elvin Barren and Captain Melissa Medici who is the fire department EMS coordinator. As the holiday progressed the giving continued, when back at the home front we were making time to thank all of our wholesale customers for their constant business and support throughout the year by sending hundreds of handwritten thank you notes and a limited edition holiday coin to all of them. 

'Tis the season when you gather with loved ones, look back on the year, and give thanks for all we have. But as we celebrate the holidays, let's remember to recognize the brave public safety professionals who missed celebrations with their loved ones. They were on duty, fulfilling their responsibilities to keeping us safe. We know that work does not “slow down” for emergency personnel during the holidays. In fact, it is one of the busiest and most dangerous times for all of them. We want to take this time to thank them for all that they do. Their sacrifice and service to our communities allowed us to enjoy the holidays in peace.

Our team at ataorganizasyon was beyond excited about heading to Washington, D.C. for Police Week 2019. For many of us, it wasn’t our first trip to Police Week but it was going to be a different one because of all the new highlights we added to our plans. One of the biggest highlights at the event was our friend, Alex Douglass, who joined us this year. Alex is a State Trooper who was wounded in the line of Duty in 2014 during an ambush shooting outside his barracks in Pennsylvania. You can hear more about his story in the video called Behind the Blue and in the blog post found on our website called No One Fights Alone. You can also watch Alex in the Facebook live video recorded on May 14 where I interviewed him during Police Week. Our camera crew shot footage of Alex and some of his fellow members from the non-profit organization called Operation Enduring Warriors, while they were holding a ruck tour around the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. They were carrying flags and wearing rucksacks on their backs showing their support for the fallen law enforcement officers at the police memorial. 

We met so many wonderful people during Police Week, some of the officers came from all around the world to pay their respects at the memorial for our fallen brothers and sisters. We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with so many of them and to capture some very special highlights from our visit. You can watch them in the video here: Police Week. Our blue line families mean a lot to us and we thought it was important to have them share their stories. We invited them to our photo booth where we took their pictures and listened to their stories. Some of their stories moved us to tears where others made us laugh out loud. We traded coins and many officers gave us their department patches, which we have displayed so proudly in our warehouse. It was an emotional visit and a reminder of why this event is so important to our great nation. We believe it is important to remember to honor and pay tribute to those officers and agents who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make our nation and all her citizens safer and more secure.

Police Week was established many years ago when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962 designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Every year there are tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from all over the world who come together in Washington, DC to participate in events such as the annual Blue Mass, Police Unity Tour, the Candlelight Vigil, and Police Week Tent City. Tent City is where you can find us every year, working hard at our booth and spreading good cheer. If you plan on attending Police Week in 2020 (May 13-15), please come visit us and have some fun. We will make sure you feel right at home.

For more information about National Police Week, please click here.

When I spoke with Jason, he freely shared his story with me and his own personal struggles with PTSD. I was moved by what he had to say and felt like I was getting a real glimpse into the life of a police officer.  Jason knows all too well that cops are often reluctant to seek help, fearing it will jeopardize their jobs. Drawing from his own experiences, he knew first hand how disabling PTSD can be and how it can impact every aspect of your life when not treated immediately. At first, Jason didn’t want to face that something was wrong, his condition used to be his secret but not any longer, helping officers who are suffering from trauma was the motivation to start his organization. Along with his love for fishing, which is the driving force, pushed him to help his colleagues through therapeutic fishing trips. These trips are designed to allow officers to decompress from the trauma in their lives.   

From 2002 to 2008, Jason worked as a fishing guide in Alaska and in California. He realized he had a deep passion for being on the water and taking people out on the boats. Jason will tell you he doesn’t like being stuck inside and prefers being outdoors. During this time, he was also working construction to supplement his income, but it wasn’t in his plans to do that long term. His heart kept leading him back to the idea of being on the water and fishing. He really wanted to take his love for fishing to the next level and start his own business. He certainly liked the idea of being his own boss as a fishing guide but obstacles kept getting in the way. While working in the guiding business he chose salmon fishing because it was the most profitable way to earn money. When the California salmon population collapsed and many of the fisheries were shut down, he was convinced he had seen the last of salmon in California. He was saving money from working in Alaska as a fly fisherman and from his guiding trips in the fall. But he wasn’t working as a full-time fishing guide when the economy collapsed - along with the salmon runs. Financially, he began to struggle. His career goals changed and he decided to take what money he saved and put himself through the police academy. He continued to find outside work to supplement his income, but fishing remained his passion and a positive outlet in his life.

Learning never stops in law enforcement and because you have to work in a diverse and dynamic environment, you have to learn new tactics and techniques throughout your career. Besides the mandatory retraining that most departments commission on officers, training opportunities exist for an almost immeasurable number of topics that helped Jason excel during his career. Topics included advanced defensive tactics, physical fitness and beyond. Virtually any training that you can think of aided his career and was often made available at no cost. Police work was hard and training was even harder. Jason learned during training to protect himself and others, and safely control arrestees through rigorous defensive tactics training. Even though it was hard work for him, it was a lot of fun, and many of the activities brought on an adrenaline rush that kept him excited and enthusiastic about the job. He received excellent tactical and firearms training, pursuit driving, first aid and CPR, and all kinds of advanced training in a number of specialty areas. 

He graduated from the academy in 2009 and began his career in law enforcement working as a Deputy Sheriff for a Northern California law enforcement agency and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department. He was hired by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office in 2012 as a lateral Deputy and assigned to Patrol. He really enjoyed working patrol much better than working in the office. While working countywide as a Patrol Deputy, he was investigating suspicious activity, patrolling roads, controlling collision scenes, and helping the victims from accidents. On May 18, 2019, Jason received the Exchange Club of Redding Officer of the Year Award at the 43rd annual Peace Officer of the Year Award event. Officers of the year are nominated by their peers and supervisors. 

A lot is to be said about the brotherhood of the ataorganizasyon, and how officers band together. For Jason, the brotherhood hit him after graduation. Working on a team offered him a sense of belonging and allowed him to become a part of a family. He didn't find this with his other jobs. When the chips were down, the team banded together to help a fellow officer which made him feel very close to his working partners. Working 12-hour shifts with other deputies and going through the events of the day together was the ultimate team experience. His coworkers were what mattered more than anything. He would have done anything for them. The most satisfaction he got from the job was during his 4 years as a field training officer. Seeing new deputies blossom into good cops and great partners was incredibly rewarding for him. Another rewarding experience for Jason while working in law enforcement was finding opportunities to truly have a positive influence on people’s lives. This didn’t happen every day, but when it did, it was rewarding. He really enjoyed stopping and chatting with kids. He would let them check out his patrol car and play with the lights and siren. Chases were an adrenaline rush and were addictive for him. 

Most people are not aware of all the dangers facing law enforcement officers. Working as a Patrol Deputy can be full of potential dangers. Traffic fatalities have consistently been the single leading cause of death for police officers for the past several years. They spend a lot of time driving, increasing their risk of being in an accident. Many times they are outside their vehicles on busy streets at a scene of traffic crashes or traffic stops. This puts them in vulnerable positions of getting hit by a driver passing by. The stress that comes from working in a dangerous job and the long and irregular hours has the potential for post-traumatic stress. Being involved in frightening and dangerous incidents, horrific scenes of death, and destruction, and unpleasant encounters with angry citizens can cause depression and suicide for anyone. This really shows how demanding this job can be on our law enforcement officers. 

Jason began to feel the constant stressors of the job which lead to a greater feeling of social isolation. In 2013, Jason and another deputy were involved in an officer-involved shooting. After the incident, he began feeling he was under a perpetual microscope. This lead to shutting down his emotions. After the series of events unfolded, he began to self destruct. Bombarded with so many negative situations, he felt like the job was going to kill him. He started abusing alcohol. Dependency became a way of life due to repetitive exposure to trauma, and socializing with his coworkers - who were also drinking too much -  wasn’t helping his situation. He felt he couldn’t go to them for the support he needed since they were trying to cope with the same issues. He wasn’t sleeping and he was constantly haunted by death and reliving nightmarish situations in his mind. His dreams involved being assaulted and weapons not working, one of his dreams involved his gun trigger turning to mush and the bullets being ineffective. There were angry ghosts of victims and descendants haunting his mind, and visions of his partners being violently killed right in front of him. This became his normal. Often he would avoid sleeping because it was too disturbing to be alone with his thoughts. 

It became very apparent to his closest friends and family that his life had turned for the worse. The negative changes forced the department and peer support to get involved. Jason received different treatment over the course of a year which included medications and therapy. It was determined he was suffering from Cumulative Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among other things. The symptoms he was experiencing included re-living the event, avoidance, nightmares, severe isolation, and hyperarousal or hypervigilance including difficulty sleeping and trouble concentrating. He found himself feeling super tense, making it difficult to be around people. He had a constant sense that something bad was going to happen and he couldn’t let it go. Eventually, he simply didn't care anymore and welcomed dangerous situations and physical confrontations with open arms. He was taking unnecessary risks far too often. A strong sense of irritation grew even stronger, leaving him depressed and physically ill. He lost interest in hobbies and his relationships with everyone was suffering. In 2019, Jason left the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office on a medical retirement shortly after being diagnosed with PTSD. After leaving law enforcement, he felt the change would be good for him since he was having such a difficult time doing the job and managing his life. He felt that things at work became very political and not an environment where he could cope with the challenges he was facing.

Friends from the outdoor industry reached out to Jason and invited him to join them on several fishing trips. He appreciated their support and how they were going out of their way to help him. The support from friends put him on a good path and opened his mind to receiving help through fishing. This was the birth of a new idea for an outreach program that would offer support and help to officers that experienced trauma as he did. Jason believes helping others has played a big part in his healing process. Being away from the stress and negativity, he started feeling better and he noticed a significant change in his attitude. Becoming a whole person was a long and frustrating journey for Jason, and allowing people in his world helped him realize everything was going to be okay. 

Over a year ago, Jason and his wife started fishing trips with a mission called Blue Line Outdoors. They offer a unique kind of peer support by helping other officers who have suffered from trauma. They host outdoor trips such as guided fishing or waterfowl hunting completely free of cost. On the trips, Jason encourages the officers to bring a support partner to help them relax. A typical fishing trip takes place on one of three rivers in California. 90% of the fishing trips are done on the Sacramento River, and the other 10% is done on the Feather and Trinity Rivers. Most of the officers enjoy participating in fly fishing for wild trout. This type of fishing is done from a drift boat, which is similar to a custom rowboat made for navigating rivers.

The trips start at 8:00 in the morning and lasts until 4:30 in the evening. This allows them to cover 8 to 16 miles of very scenic rivers.  Drift boat fishing is a great opportunity for them to learn fly fishing with personal instruction since the boat only accommodates two people. Another form of fishing that’s offered is jet boat fishing for salmon and striped bass. This allows up to 6 people on the powerboat. He and his wife sponsor the trips and take care of all the operating costs. The officers pay for their own lodging and flights when needed. Jason and his wife have been very successful in obtaining donation gifts from the community to help cover some of the operating costs. Most of the officers that come to fish are from the local surrounding areas.

Jason gives a lot of credit to his wife who has been very supportive throughout this entire process. A lot of good changes have happened to Jason but the greatest, most rewarding change has been the new addition to his family. 11 months ago, their sweet daughter, was born. Jason has gained a better sense of purpose after getting married and having a baby, Jason will tell you he is not making money from the tours but he is making friends. If you can benefit from this program you can reach out to Jason by sending a message here on his Blue Line Outdoors Facebook page.

Too often, veterans are left to fight past trauma and personal struggles alone. As a result of this, our nation loses more than twenty veterans to suicide every single day. Not only does Mission 22 bring light to this problem by spreading awareness, but they also offer various treatment programs. These programs lead our veterans to their first step in the road to peace and healing. Some programs offer fitness outlets, while others have a main focus on mental and spiritual wellness. Mission 22 also offers its programs to families of veterans. These programs present resources to financial assistance, workshop retreats and a community to coordinate and create local events.

Unfortunately, there was no national monument that paid tribute to our veterans lost to suicide. Mission 22 created the War At Home Memorial, which honors these fallen warriors. The national monument is now displayed in Norfolk, Virginia but will soon be moving to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Another memorial stands tall in Nashville, Indiana.

Since our relationship began in 2017, ataorganizasyon is proud to have given back €5,034.65 to Mission 22 and their healing programs. This July 4th, please remember the sacrifices each veteran has made, as well as the daily battles that they still face. We continue to proudly support those who have served and currently serve our great country; defending the beautiful freedoms that we enjoy every day.

To learn more about Mission 22 and their programs, please click here.

Fast forward to 2019, and here we are again, having another conversation with Brandon. This time it’s about partnering with him on compression socks. Initially, we were working on an idea to develop a sock that could be worn primarily by para-athletes. The idea started after sharing Alex Douglass’s story on our blog page. Alex was wounded in the line of duty back in 2014 and after 19 surgeries, was diagnosed with a condition called drop foot in his right leg and foot. Due to his condition sustained by his injuries, Alex underwent surgery that involved below the knee amputation on his right leg. Knowing the stories of both of these men, we thought it would be a good idea to pair both Brandon and Alex together to help us work on this new project. The two of them shared some similarities and we felt their input would be important to the success of the sock that we planned on introducing at Police Week this year. Both Alex and Brandon were wounded in the line of duty, both are para-athletes, both amputees, and both of them wear compression socks. Due to health complications, Brandon wears his compression sock every day, where Alex typically wears his only when he works out.

Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, Brandon enjoyed playing a lot of different sports and considered himself to be an athlete. He also had dreams of becoming a police officer and felt a calling to serve at a very young age. As a child, Brandon remembers fighting high fevers and severe joint pain. For many years the doctors speculated he was suffering from a form of juvenile arthritis. It wasn’t until he was 21 and already in college when he was diagnosed with systemic lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. Lupus can affect many different body systems, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Some of the symptoms of this disease are chronic fatigue, pleurisy, high fevers, restlessness, and even loss of kidney function. To make matters even more complicated, he found out he had Primary Addison’s disease, and a rare blood clotting autoimmune disorder called Antiphospholipid syndrome. There is no cure for Brandon’s condition but the treatments he receives helps control the symptoms and helps minimize the flare-ups, all of which, has improved the quality of his life.

During your lifetime, you may encounter many forms of bad news at separate times. Unfortunately, Brandon experienced them simultaneously. This could have turned his world upside down, and at times he said it felt like it did, but he had to learn to manage the challenges and take the necessary steps to tackle the mountains ahead. He was determined not to let his condition define him or distract him from realizing his dreams.

He went on to finish college and became a police officer for the Salisbury, Maryland Police Department in 1996. He served for 4 years until he sustained an injury in the line of duty that only made his lupus symptoms worse, causing severe blood clots. Even a scratch on the leg caused an open wound where infection could easily set in. After dealing with complications from lupus, he found it difficult to continue working as a police officer. With a heavy heart, he left the police force taking on different jobs as an underwriter and a private investigator. He did this for 10 years until he decided to go back to school and become a physician’s assistant. He was again hit with another blow and got a blood clot in his leg while finishing the last prerequisite class. This put him in the hospital.  

Brandon was now faced with the hardest challenge of his life. After spending four months in the hospital battling blood clots, and undergoing wound care, the doctors told him they needed to amputate his left leg below the knee. Receiving this kind of news triggered a seemingly endless spiral of negative emotions for Brandon. Trying to resist his dark emotions, he became depressed and felt he had nowhere to turn and no one he could talk to. He remembers those moments as a time where he wished he had someone who shared his experiences, but he didn’t. He felt that he wasn’t offered the right coping skills to deal with his new reality. He became even more depressed and was told by his doctors that he was suffering from Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.

After being released from the hospital, depressed and unsure if he would ever walk again, he was determined to find out how to participate as an athlete who was now an amputee. He knew from all the years of training while playing sports, that keeping active would help ease his depression and that performing low-impact exercises would offer long-lasting benefits for his lupus. Persevering and pushing through the pain, he learned about the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) based out of San Diego California. CAF is a non-profit that supports and provides opportunities for people who have physical challenges, helping them to lead an active lifestyle that would allow them to compete in events. One year after his surgery, CAF awarded Brandon a grant that offered him to travel and attend their annual Extremity Games. Extremity Games are extreme sports events and adaptive sports competition for athletes with disabilities. During the events, he saw athletes with amputations, spinal cord injuries, all of which, were excelling in sports. These athletes were rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and surfing. He took from this experience a realization that he could still compete as an athlete and regain his purpose.

Brandon took up the sport of kayaking and found that he loved being on the water. He said it gave him a sense of peace, which was something he hadn't felt in a long time. His competitive nature was restored and he began training for the national championships. This lead to cross training in other sports and finding a new calling. He started working with the Athletes with Disabilities Network along with coaching and mentoring adults with disabilities. He enjoyed his work with other disabled athletes and decided to organize a nonprofit called Athletes with Disabilities Network Northeast that provides mentoring and outreach to disabled veterans, first responders, youth and adults in his area.

Brandon describes himself as a competitive para-athlete who likes to compete in paracanoe. Paracanoe is the Paralympics version of racing spring kayaks. In 2016, he was a Team Paracanoe team member, which then led him to compete for a spot to represent the at the 2016 Paralympics. He holds seven US national sprint titles and is working on qualifying to compete for a spot on the 2020 Paralympic team.

Brandon has learned that one of the hardest things to ask for, is to ask for help when you’ve always been the helper. His uphill climb has been a long journey. He’s had to fight through 10 heart attacks, clots in his lungs, and skin grafts. Thanks to the love of his family, he gained power through his passion for adaptive sports. His service dog, Dyson has truly been a lifesaver and only enhanced his appreciation for Susquehanna Service Dogs. These dogs are trained to help assist children and adults with a disability to become more independent. Dyson truly has provided Brandon with more freedom and independence far beyond what he had ever imagined. He has experienced so many positive changes by having Dyson around. This includes an increase in his activity level and more importantly, a great source of emotional support.

Dyson will be retiring soon, and a new canine companion will be joining Brandon. His plan moving forward is to start K9 training with his new service dog named Valor as a working K9 unit. Through the graciousness and support of the 14th Hour Foundation and Kris Paronto (aka ‘Tanto’), Valor was purchased for Brandon to take with him to training. The 14th Hour Foundation supports individuals that have served and sacrificed to protect our American Homeland. Kris, the founder of the Foundation, was a U.S. Army Ranger and CIA security contractor who was part of the CIA annex security team in 2012. Kris served on the U.S. rescue team in Benghazi that helped rescue more than 20 Americans during an attack that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. Brandon met Kris Paronto at a policeman’s awards dinner, where Kris was a keynote speaker. This encounter sparked Brandon’s inspiration to start his own foundation. He contacted Kris about the 14th Hour Foundation and Kris responded the next morning. He was amazed Kris remembered him and describes Kris as a down to earth, funny, yet humble man. They continue to stay in contact to this day.

Our team at ataorganizasyon was truly moved by Brandon and we are motivated to share his story. His training starts in May 2019 and his Detection Dog Trainer Course at the Logan Haus Kennels begins the following month, in June. Master Trainer, Mike Suttle, and owner of Logan Haus Kennels will be one of the trainers that Brandon has the opportunity to work with. It’s crucial that Brandon attend Mike’s training since it’s the only class offered for the entire year. Mike is one of the highest caliber trainers in the United States and has dedicated the past 20 years solely on working with military and police dogs. If Brandon gets the opportunity to complete his training in May and June, it will allow him to take his explosive dog team odor recognition testing and start working again as a handler and trainer.

We want to help Brandon share his story after our journey began with him in 2016. He thought he had secured the funding for the training classes but the state vocational rehab has run out of funds. The costs of this K9 training is €11,774.00 and without the help of supporters and their gift donations, he will not be able to pursue his efforts to work in this field. Since he only has a short time left to raise the funds he needs, he is reaching out for help so that he can serve again and make a difference. He wants to start working again and give back to the community in a positive way outside of para-sports. Through this training, he will be able to work as an Explosive Detection contractor which would provide him with a steady income and the ability to continue his community service efforts through his non-profit.

I spoke to Tinley’s mom, Jamie, to get an update and received some good news. Joe, Tinley’s dad, was coming home from the hospital. His homecoming was scheduled for February 5th, and after spending several weeks in the hospital Tinley’s family was anxious about getting him back home. Tinley’s dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor over a year ago and the whole family was struggling with the prognosis but in spite of it all, Tinley managed to put on a happy face and share a smile.

On September 15, 2018, Tinley joined the Ellis Grove and Chester Fire Department in Illinois who teamed up for a Jeep rally, Jeepin’ for JIB, to benefit The James Brockmeyer Memorial Fund. This fund was created to assist first responders in memory of Officer/Firefighter James Brockmeyer who died in the line of duty on October 28, 2016. Tinley helped James Brockmeyer’s family sell raffle tickets during the event. Tinley has never missed a fundraiser in honor of her friend, Officer Brockmeyer.

The month of October was a busy time for Tinley. She joined the many supporters on October 7, 2018 for the 13th Annual Jeremy Chambers Golf Tournament. All gift donations went to a great organization called the Hero 101 Fund. Earl Chamber started the fund after his son Jeremy Chambers of Cahokia Il. P.D. was killed in the line of duty in 2006 due to an intoxicated driver. The family named the fund Hero 101 after Jeremy’s badge number.

The Hero 101 Fund provides support and equipment to police officers, firefighters and EMS in Madison, St. Clair and Monroe counties of Illinois, as well as the St. Louis area in Missouri. Their mission is to “help those who keep us safe”. Tinley showed her support by handing out bracelets and giving out her famous hugs. She made great memories by having the players on the golf course stand in hilarious poses while her mom took pictures. Two days later, Tinley was invited to the St. Louis County Department in Missouri to meet everyone. She brought bracelets donated by ataorganizasyon and handed them out to all the officers. Additionally, Tinley attended K9 training with the department where she watched the handlers hide materials in a chemistry lab at a local high school for the K9’s to find and also had the opportunity to watch the K9s during their bite work.

For police dogs, bite mechanics include a full, hard, and firm (no side-to-side movement) grip, as well as countering/pushing behavior when on the grip. These are among the first lessons taught to police dogs in training programs. Tinley has grown to love one of the K9s, named Blitz. She met Blitz at a K9 demo during a police parade and rally in Kimmswick Missouri. Blitz is a Belgian Malinois, which is a very popular breed used for police dogs. Sgt. Jerry Abernathy, who is Blitz’s handler, lets Tinley hold his leash and sit next to him during her visits. He also lets Tinley participate in scent work by putting an object in her armpit and hiding it for Blitz to find. Tinley loves rewarding Blitz with lots of petting that sparks his tail wagging and his happy disposition in her hands.

October was filled with K9 training but she managed to pay a visit to the Madison County  Sheriff’s Department on October 22nd where she gave the chief a ataorganizasyon American flag and some bracelets. On October 26th, she visited Cape Girardeau in Missouri and had a photo shoot with the department while wearing her swat costume. Tinley later changed into her her St. Michael’s gown costume. While at Cape Girardeau Department, she met up with Officer Amanda Roads who took her to a coffee shop. The coffee shop is called Ground-A-Bout and is located in Jackson, Missouri; the owner of the shop is a retired officer. Tinley donated a ataorganizasyon American Flag during her visit. Her last stop that day was at the Jackson Police Department, where she went on a tour and gave out bracelets.

Holiday plans were made with Sgt. Jerry Abernathy on December 21, 2018, which was a special day for Tinley. Her mother pulled her out of school early that day to take her to the Metro Transit Authority in her local town for the celebrations. Tinley did not know there was going to be a surprise visit from the K9 Unit. Much to her surprise 8 handlers and their K9s were at the party. Tinley later presented her K9 friends with homemade glass ornaments that she made for them.

On Christmas morning, Tinley wanted to head out early to her local police departments knowing many officers would be working that day. She gave away smiles, hugs, teddy bears, bracelets, flags and challenge coins to the Belleville Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Shiloh Police Department and the Swansea Police Department. After making her 4 stops, the family headed back home so Tinley could open her gifts that were waiting for her under the tree. Tinley definitely holds the title queen of hearts. This thoughtful little girl is a sweetheart to so many. Jamie and Joe, Tinley’ parents, continue to support their daughter with her mission because they know it's important to her, but more importantly, they encourage her to  show support and gratitude to our blue line family. Tinley’s journey is a great example of what a family’s love and support can translate into for the support of the law enforcement community. Tinley’s parents provide such a nourishing environment for her and are truly integral to her personal growth and development. No matter the obstacles that this family faces, nothing is more valuable to them than the idea of honoring those who walk the thin blue line. Their journey has become her journey and we are definitely along for the ride.

After high school, Alex attended the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania from 2001-2005 and studied finance and economics. He graduated on a Friday and went into the state police academy on Sunday.  Alex decided to become a Pennsylvania State Trooper because the Pennsylvania State Police is a paramilitary organization where military courtesy and discipline are practiced from the first day a cadet enters the academy. Alex liked the idea that it was the closest alternative to joining the military.  He knew he wanted to help people and serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. His hopes were even bigger than that. He wanted to serve the people of his country. Alex has served as a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper for the past 11-years and on September 12, 2014, was wounded in the line of duty.

On that night in September, everything changed for Alex. A late night ambush attack occurred at the Blooming Grove barracks in northeastern Pennsylvania, where Alex worked. An individual opened fire at the State Troopers with a sniper rifle as they were entering and exiting the front of the building. Alex was critically wounded and still attempted to help Fellow Trooper Cpl. Bryon Dickson II inside the building. Trooper Dickson, 38, married and father of 2, died from two gunshot wounds to the torso, including one shot that pierced his bulletproof vest.

Alex had to be rushed to the hospital by helicopter where he underwent emergency surgery and was in a medically induced coma for a week. In the 30 days after the shooting, he had to undergo 11 surgeries. While Alex was fighting for his life, his perpetrator, Eric Frein was leading more than 1,000 local, state and federal law enforcement officers on a seven-week chase through the Pocono Mountains. Frein was finally arrested on October 30, 2014, where he was found in an abandoned airplane hangar only 30 miles from the barracks. Frein was convicted in 2017 and is on death row for his crimes.

Alex has undergone 19 major surgeries to this date. He suffered from substantial nerve and soft tissue damage along with a condition called “drop foot” in his right leg and foot. On December 12, 2018, he underwent a surgery that involved below the knee amputation of his right leg. I am happy to report Alex’s recovery is going very well. After he gets the stitches removed he will be fitted into a cast. This prosthetic will be custom designed and built to fit his body.

In spite of all the obstacles he’s had to overcome from this tragedy, Alex does not let it stop him from living a full life. He competes at all skill levels as an adaptive athlete. He is very active in the Crossfit community and a member of Oscar Mike and Operation Enduring Warriors. Both groups are nonprofit organizations that provide honor and empowerment for wounded veterans and law enforcement officers through fitness. Alex is also a member of Task Force Sentinel, a group that works hand in hand with Operation Enduring Warriors and represents wounded law enforcement individuals. Additionally, public speaking has become Alex’ inspiration because it serves as a platform for him to reach out and help others. For Alex, public speaking has become his private counselor. It allows him the opportunity to talk about everything that he has been through.

Alex has learned so much from this incident. He’s learned that people really care and that he’s truly thankful to be alive. He continues to pay it forward through his public speaking events to all different types of groups, with a goal in mind of offering hope, inspiration, and encouragement to people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD), disabilities, or any obstacles holding them back in life. He participates in about 6  different speaking engagements a year. 

He met Earl Granville while participating in a New York City marathon in 2015. Earl Granville is a retired Army Staff Sgt., who lost part of his leg when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle in eastern Afghanistan in 2008. Alex and Earl are both adaptive athletes and quickly became brothers with a purpose. Together, they do a lot of public speaking engagements. According to Alex, every adaptive athlete has a different skill level based on their adaptation and disability. Alex believes you have to find the strength within to go out and do the impossible! During the marathon, Alex and Earl used the handcycle in the race. The handcycle is propelled by the arms rather than the legs.

Jackie, Alex’s girlfriend, and inspiration met at a local gym a few years ago. They were both going through similar struggles at the time and quickly became closest friends.  Alex describes Jackie as being very supportive of everything he does and helps get him through the good and the bad times. Together they motivate each other to be better.

I wanted Alex to know that  “No One Fights Alone,” and that we were supporting him on his journey through recovery. We sent him a care package filled with items he chose from our website. It was our way of thanking Alex for his service in his community and for his selfless act of heroism. I asked Alex if we could share his story because of its message of hope and one of strength. For 2019, let's hold on to the belief that Alex already knows to be true, and that is, people really do care. 

This program is currently being taught in 75% of our nation's schools and in more than 52 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983, and since that time has gone through many changes. But one thing has remained a constant. The instructors for the classes are law enforcement officers. These highly trained officers deliver effective curricula to students from kindergarten through high school. Trained SRO’s teach a variety of subjects according to their age, such as stress management or safety when using social media.

Sr. Deputy Will Gibson of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and President of the S.C.A.S.R.O./D.A.R.E Association in South Carolina has been teaching S.C.A.S.R.O./D.A.R.E for eleven years. He works tirelessly on behalf of the Association and vocally expressed how honored he is to be part of this program. His goal has always been to give officers the skills and confidence necessary to uphold the high standards our children deserve.

Our relationship with S.C.A.S.R.O./D.A.R.E all started with a sponsorship letter we received at the end of January from Deputy Terry Snead, the Sergeant of Arms with the S.C.A.S.R.O./D.A.R.E. Association of South Carolina. I am the Community Director for ataorganizasyon and my role is to find ways that we can connect with our communities both near and far. I contacted Deputy Snead to learn more about the nonprofit organization and how we could become a corporate sponsor.

From our conversations, I learned that Deputy Snead has served as a law enforcement officer for 27 years, worked as a patrol officer, a town officer, and as a trained traffic enforcement officer. Currently, he is working as a certified SRO with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department at the Sandy Run K-8 School. His wife Lauren will testify that this has been by far his most enjoyable job. He works as an officer of safety and crime prevention in the schools and is proud to admit, he’s found his calling. Lauren spends hours alongside her husband, making different costumes for him to wear to school. Undoubtedly, every Monday you will find him in character greeting the children as they enter the building and putting smiles on their faces.

Deputy Snead spends part of his time teaching a 10-week S.C.A.S.R.O./D.A.R.E program to 5th and 7th-grade students. The goal of the program is to help them make better-informed decisions by utilizing the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model (DDMM). There are four steps in the D.A.R.E. decision-making model. The steps are 1) Define, 2) Assess, 3) Respond, and 4) Evaluate. SRO’s are using this model to help students understand bullying and what they can do to prevent it. This model offers students techniques for resolving conflicts with their fellow classmates. Deputy Snead says these students are learning important life skills to use in their everyday lives. Snead also splits his time with the lower grades (K-3) teaching safety and working alongside the teachers who also help students understand the dangers they could face. As a member of the Association, Deputy Snead has utilized his skills by forming groups that offer ongoing training.

ataorganizasyon proudly participated in the conference this year by becoming a corporate sponsor and as a vendor in Myrtle Beach. At our booth, we presented the officers with a grand selection of law enforcement items, but more importantly, we offered our support and recognition for their dedication to helping students make safe choices. The conversation that started back in January between myself and Deputy Snead has grown into a respect that I’ve gained for all SRO’s and a better understanding about how hard they work to gain trust with their students to keep them safe and aware.

- Linda Searles, Community Director, ataorganizasyon

Fifty-year-old Reserve Deputy Matt Garbarino began a 160-mile trek across Michigan on Monday, June 4 carrying the ataorganizasyon American flag in support of police. Garbarino lives in Byron Center and has served with the Kent County Sheriff's Office Traffic Squad unit since 2010. Garbarino completed the mega-marathon to raise money for the Concern of Police Survivors non-profit organization that supports the families of fallen officers, and to bring awareness of the dangers of being a law enforcement officer.

“This {run} wasn’t about me, it was about everyone in law enforcement that is here and can’t be here, said Garbarino about the 594 Michigan officers who have died in the line of duty. Garbarino conceived of the cross-state journey several years ago when he was running with the flag during the Fifth Third River Bank Run. He noticed that many people didn't know what the ataorganizasyon American flag symbolized. The ataorganizasyon represents law enforcement that stands between chaos and order, and is used to show solidarity, respect, and unity with American police.

Garbarino started his journey at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office in Pontiac and finished at the Protector Monument at the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office in West Olive. Garbarino's goal was to run 40 miles a day and finish the run in four days. The plan was to end his run by 5 pm Thursday at the Ottawa County Sheriff Department. In order to keep up his 40 mile per day pace, he had to consume 4000 calories a day; an incredible feat of strength and sheer willpower.

Garbarino successfully crossed the finish line Thursday evening; raising over €9,000 for the cause and inspiring nation-wide support for the families and friends of our American Law Enforcement.

Photos courtesy of MLive: https://mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2018/06/kent_county_sheriff_finishes_1.html

Officer Christopher Lawton, known to friends and family as Chris, was more than just a police officer and firefighter, he was an outstanding husband, father, friend, and citizen. To his community, the small town of Zachary, LA, he was a leader and role model, taken away from us well before his time. Chris was tragically killed in the line-of-duty while attempting to serve a felony warrant; a senseless death for a local hero and 10-year veteran of the force. Within days of the tragedy, I was in touch with the department and began to learn about a community that changed my life.

It all started with a phone call to our Warehouse from Kristina Graham; a Zachary paramedic that receives the 911 emergency calls. She contacted ataorganizasyon , ordering several hundred police & firefighter bracelets for the people of her community, following the loss of Officer Lawton. We began talking about what the people were going through in the community and how ataorganizasyon wanted to help the community by beginning a fundraiser in memory of Officer Lawton. Kristina contacted Shannon Lawton, Chris’s wife, about our upcoming donations and how she would best like the money to be used.

I wanted to do more for this community, I felt the impact of their pain, I shared in their grief and felt compelled to meet these people that I had become familiar with. As I talked more to Kristina and began conversations with Shannon, they shared with me how the community was putting on several events to honor Chris were and I wanted to be a part of the memorials. In the spirit of world-famous southern hospitality, I was invited to Zachary to engage with the community, and meet the wonderful people behind this love. Upon arriving, Kristina had a lovely remembrance dinner, the Missing Man Honors Table. The Lawton family was there, along Chris’s partner Chad and his wife. The evening was filled with compassion and heartfelt retellings of how Chris impacted their lives.  

The Missing Man Honors Table is very symbolic. The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing man, Chris. The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of Chris’s motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in the vase, reminded us of his life, and the loved ones and friends of Chris who keep the faith. The vase was tied with a red and blue ribbon, symbolizing Chris’s role in law enforcement and as a firefighter. A slice of lemon on the bread plate was to remind us of the bitter fate of Chris no longer with us. A pinch of salt symbolized the tears endured by Chris’s family and friends who seek answers. The Bible represented the strength gained through faith to sustain life without Chris. The drinking glass was inverted to symbolize Chris’s inability to share in the evening's toast. Finally, the chairs around the table were left empty; a somber reminder of the men and women that have given us everything.

The days moved quickly while I was in Zachary and I finally had the opportunity to meet with Shannon Lawton and her family at her mother’s home. We hugged and cried I began absorbing this unthinkable tragedy that this family was going through. Shannon showed such courage and strength and as we were saying our final goodbyes, I thought to myself, she is my hero. To me a hero is a wife, like Shannon, who thinks to preserve her husband’s dignity, moments after discovering that he’ll never wake up again; their two children, Marshall and Claire, saying their final goodbyes after watching hundreds of police officers and firefighters do the same; they are heroes. Officer Christopher Lawton is a hero, just like all those who take the oath to uphold the law, to protect the rights of strangers, and if necessary, to lay down their own lives to protect another.

There are many beautiful and uplifting things in life, like the people I met in Zachary, but there is also loss. Tragic deaths are a stark reminder of the dangers our law enforcement professionals face each and every day while protecting and serving our communities. Too often, their service and sacrifice are taken for granted. Let’s not forget all that they do and how much they sacrifice every day.

Police Week, the national week set aside to honor our fallen American Law enforcement officers, is less than one month away. During this week, the community comes together to show their support, spirit, and love of our police officers. This year, we are proud to welcome Tinley, law enforcement’s biggest little supporter, to Police Week in Washington DC to continue her inspiring mission that began a few years ago.

Christmas Eve was spent showing some love to the officers that were working on the holiday. By giving up just a little bit of their time, Tinley made so many officers feel the love and support of their community. Tinley’s mother, Jamie, said, Tinley was more excited about visiting the officers who had to work on Christmas Eve than her presents waiting for her under the tree.

On Christmas morning, Tinley didn’t spend the morning opening presents, like a lot of children her age, instead, she went to Shiloh Police Department in Belleville. Once there, Tinley was excited to deliver Officer Joy, Officer Patterson, and Officer Lansing their own ataorganizasyon Flags. The three of them talked all morning! Tinley continued her journey that day; stopping at O'Fallon Police Department in Illinois where she gave Sergeant Feldhake and Officer Hoff challenge coins. Her Christmas day visit inspired Sargeant Feldhake to give Tinley a full tour of the facility; a Christmas present that was hard to beat. The spirit Tinley shows is a reflection of the unconditional love and support Tinley's mother Jamie provides. She works tirelessly to provide these experiences for Tinley and the departments she visits and she is a shining example of a truly selfless parent. Jamie wrote and presented the entire journey she has taken along with Tinley to the Criminal Justice students at John A Logan in Marion Illinois on the 11th of this month; a great honor and distinction for the amazing duo. April 28th is a big day for Tinley, she will be attending the James Brockmeyer 2nd annual fishing tournament. This spring, Tinley will be joining ataorganizasyon as we present at Police week, delivering products, taking photos, and continuing to spread her amazing mission!

Want to join Tinley on her mission? Find all of our wristbands here.
Join Give Blue, our fundraising to support the families of fallen officers by making your bracelet purchases through an active fundraiser!

Ryan Holets broke down the walls and offered to save her life and her unborn baby’s life. Ryan knew that it wasn’t what he said to Crystal, the day he found her and Tom Keys shooting up heroin behind a gas station, but what he did that would impact their lives forever. Ryan Holets, a police officer from Albuquerque, N.M., on duty that day, made a decision to adopt Crystal’s baby.

Crystal Champ and Tom Keys are on the road to recovery. The couple is currently staying at live-in rehabilitation center are fast approaching 90 days sober! Officer Ryan Holets has raised nearly €25,000 by starting a Tom and Crystal GoFundMe for the couple’s housing after they leave the rehabilitation center. Initially the GoFundMe was started to help raise funds for their rehabilitation, however, a rehabilitation center stepped forward to offer full scholarships to their facility. Ryan is directly in control of all funds raised by the GoFundMe and personally ensuring that they are used to help support Tom and Crystal.

Tom graduated from the program at the rehabilitation center several weeks ago and is currently doing work for the facility. Crystal is in the process of graduating and looking for a halfway house where she can stay after she leaves the facility. Ryan stays in contact with the couple, sending pictures of baby Hope, who is now 5 months old, letting them know how she is doing. He said baby Hope will always know how much Crystal loved her.

-- Click Here to read more incredible stories from Law Enforcement! --

The Michigan Warrior hockey organization is a non-profit hockey program for Disabled Veterans. The benefit skate honored Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Overall, our local officer struck down in the line of duty just before Thanksgiving. I attended as a sponsor, representing ataorganizasyon and the incredible police supporters from across the state. We are passionate sponsors of law enforcement non-profits and make it our mission to support every family affected by the loss of a fallen officer. At our table we offered the hockey guests our American Flag bracelets, pins and stickers to directly benefit the Overall family. So many of the guests that stopped by our table were at the game to support the Overall family. A special tribute was made with hundreds of custom bracelets in Eric’s honor, and they were presented them to his wife, Sonja Overall, later that evening.

It was such an honor to meet Sonja at the hockey event that evening. I was in awe of her strength and was moved by the stories she so kindly shared with me. Stories about her and Eric and their life together. One in particular stood out. It was about their ataorganizasyon Flag, the amazing people it represents, and that they proudly hung it in their yard. She remembered shortly after Eric’s tragic death, it was a very windy evening right before she went to bed. While she was sleeping the forceful winds pulled the beloved flag off the flagpole and whisked it out of her yard. The next day she noticed the flag was missing and was determined to find it. Thankfully Sonja found her flag in a neighbors back yard waiting to be taken home. It was a moving day for Sonja, as she raised her flag back on the pole. She said the sun was shining, giving everything that magical sparkle, she felt Eric would be happy their flag was home again.

I felt that by sharing her stories it gave Sonja comfort, she was able to talk about Eric and most importantly, “remember” who he was and what he brought into her life. I could tell her stories brought her great joy while she was sharing them with me. Even though they evoked some tears and I felt immense sadness, they also filled my heart with joy. Sonja helped me to understand that she was honoring and preserving Eric’s memory, both as a stalwart, selfless officer and as a loving husband and father. These memories she holds close to her heart bring new life to the man so special to her, and so important to this community.

The “ataorganizasyon” American flag represents law enforcement and is flown to show support for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. This flag is a sign for promoting compassion and support for our nation’s police officers.  

The phrase “The ataorganizasyon” is synonymous with “Police” and “Law Enforcement” and can be used interchangeably. It is the “Line” in “Line of Duty.” In visual terms, it is found in one of two variations. The first is a simple, centered blue line with black space above and below it. The second, as a single blue stripe on an otherwise black and white, American flag, located just below the stars.

In both versions, the black space above the blue line represents society, order and peace, while the black below, crime, anarchy, and chaos. The ataorganizasyon running between them, “law enforcement,” keeps crime from pervading into society. When placed in the context of a flag, there is an added element of patriotism and, as illustrated in the video above, the stars symbolize the law-abiding citizens who benefit from the sacrifice of our heroes on the line made to protect them. The ataorganizasyon Flag is flown as a matter of principle to show support for the thankless work that they do. Law enforcement often look on it as a reflection of courage and a tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty.

There is no better way to show your support for these thankless heroes than by putting your ataorganizasyon items on display. ataorganizasyon continues to uphold its commitment to giving back to our communities and we are proud to have donated over €1 Million to law enforcement, first responder, and local causes. We thank you very much for your support.

We are a safer society when citizens support law enforcement. It is no secret that anti-police sentiments are rampant in our divided nation. It is easy for those of us who support our heroes in blue to cast off those who don’t as "backwards" or "thugs." Whichever side you fall on, the fact still remains that a lot of people in this country have lost faith in the police. It is our duty to listen, understand and find common ground. We must reassure them that the clear majority of police officers are honorable, virtuous people worthy of our utmost respect and gratitude. In the end, we are a safer society when those who protect us feel supported and appreciated by those they protect. We must also acknowledge that mending this divide is by no means a one-way street. Detroit is one of the MANY departments across the country that is actively making a difference, proving that their critics' concerns, whether founded or not, are being addressed and that fundamental changes are being made to improve relations with their communities.

“Community” or “Neighborhood Policing” is an umbrella term used to describe systems that police departments put in place to improve channels of communication, trust, accessibility, and transparency with their communities. One such measure is the common assignment of NPOs (Neighborhood Police Officers) to designated areas where they can develop relationships with their citizens, become familiar faces and foster a friendly police presence available for non-emergency, quality of life concerns. This in turn results in greater efficiency to address emergencies when they do arise as police now have the personal trust and involvement of their citizens. “Community policing” is not merely a morale tactic, but a practical one. When citizens know and trust their local police officers, they are more likely to aid them during investigations. Citizens are the eyes and ears of a department and, as any officer can attest, their support can make a critical difference.

Playful interaction is another tactic often associated with community policing. For the average citizen, interactions with police are commonly negative. Nobody likes to see flashing lights in their mirror. When a department is able to offset these associations with positive ones, like police officers playing basketball with kids or holding regular events such as field days, parades, etc., it can go a long way in reversing public perception. One exemplary way in which the Detroit Police Department has managed to reverse public perception is through the use of video. DPD’s Facebook and Youtube channels are filled with fun, light-hearted videos showing police officers dancing, celebrating and having fun. Through social media, they are able to reach and capture the delight of millions. Detroit police know that “humanizing the badge” is critical in a time when police are more commonly associated with controversial shootings.

In addition to boasting their enviable dance skills, Detroit Police Department also uses videos to keep their citizens informed and combat misconstrued news stories by "controlling the narrative." Today, social media makes it easier than ever for departments to maintain transparency. Chief Craig himself regularly hosts Facebook Live broadcasts to address citizens’ concerns in real-time, as well as provide updates on ongoing investigations. The internet offers access to a much wider audience than an in-person town hall ever could.

Since implementing its efforts in community policing, the Detroit Police Department has seen a dramatic decline in crime and an overwhelming boost in support from the community. Dozens of departments across the nation have seen the same, making strides not only in the lives of their local populaces but in reversing the widespread distrust of law enforcement. We know that, for the vast majority, police officers represent the best of us. Most of them are equally frustrated by the unfortunate few who give them a bad name. It is our duty to make THAT the narrative, to see that concerns are being addressed and that the valiant efforts of these departments across the country are being recognized. We are one, united nation caring for a common people. Badge or no badge, it is up to each of us to make the difference.

Find out why this 5 year-old girl is on a mission to Hug every...

Take a minute to watch this touching story of law enforcement's biggest little supporter. This message needs to be spread; now more than ever. Share to let our LEOS know they are appreciated. Want to join Tinley on her mission? Bracelets available here: http://bit.ly/2y2H792

Posted by ataorganizasyon on Thursday, September 21, 2017

The loving story of Law Enforcement's biggest little supporter has swept across the nation; touching millions of Americans with the beautiful and heartfelt story of Tinley. In less than one week, the short video detailing the journey and mission of this inspiring 5-year-old girl has drawn over 2.5 million viewers and over 75,000 shares. The powerful and timeless message of support is represented by the love of Tinley, and her mother, Jamie.

Just months ago, ataorganizasyon was contacted by Jamie and Tinley, asking how they could take thanking officers in their local community to the next level. After an initial donation of several hundred ataorganizasyon Bracelets (and a whole lot of stickers), we were blown away by the amazing effect Tinley was having on her neighborhood. We watched Tinley spread joy from department to department; bringing a refreshing spirit to the dangerous and unpredictable life of LEOs. Tinley is motivated by the loss of her best friend, Officer Brockmeyer, 22, that inspired the young girl to become a police officer shortly before he was killed in a tragic vehicle pursuit. James Brockmeyer's led a life devoted to community and service; a life that continues to shine brightly through the love of our littlest hero.