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.

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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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.

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.