Rebuilding Shattered Lives

National Police Week

Each year, thousands of law enforcement survivors, officers, and supporters gather in Washington D.C. on may 11th through may 17th to honor and remember officers who die in the line of duty.

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Hands-On Programs

C.O.P.S. knows that in the wake of a line-of-duty death, many lives are affected. There is an inherent need for a safe space to grieve and to process the feelings and memories surrounding that loved one. Our programs are designed to allow participants to do just that. With Hands-On Programs, C.O.P.S. provides retreats specifically formatted to support the survivors as they learn to cope. 

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Traumas of Law Enforcement Trainings

Each year, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) provides training to America’s law enforcement agencies on

how to appropriately respond to officers and their families affected by line-of-duty traumas through the

“Traumas of Law Enforcement” trainings. At these trainings, instructors will present information that is

important to America’s law enforcement agencies regarding appropriate response to line-of-duty death,

disability, critical incidents, and police suicide.

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2024 National Conference on Law Enforcement Wellness & Trauma

The National Conference on Law Enforcement Wellness & Trauma provides a much-needed focus on trauma and wellness by proactively addressing the cumulative stressors that can occur throughout a police officer’s career. We hope you will consider becoming a part of this unparalleled experience!

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Donate to National C.O.P.S.

I AM A SURVIVOR

and I would like to receive more information from C.O.P.S.

Survivors include spouses, kids, adult children, parents, siblings, fiancés, significant others, extended family (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, grandparents, and in-laws), co-workers, and suicide survivors (as determined by the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022).

C.O.P.S. serves survivors of officers whose death has been determined as line-of-duty by PSOB, FBI, FOP, or NLEOMF or those in the process of applying for benefits through the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program.

Individual Survivor Contact Form

Surviving Family Contact Form

Co-Worker Contact Form

Ways to show your support

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Keep up to date with our events and special newsletters.

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Make a Donation

Choose from various methods that show your support. 

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Explore COPSSHOP

Explore various C.O.P.S. merchandise tailored to preserve the memories of our retreats and officers. 

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Latest News

By blake_haynes 05 Mar, 2024
When my brother, Rich, was violently murdered in the line of duty, my entire life came to a standstill. At the time, my mom had just been declared cancer-free after a fight with breast cancer that both Rich and I helped her through. This is a story of how sewing and a group of people helped me move through grief and find a level of calmness that has sustained to this day. I took a leave of absence from my job as a high school vice principal, which ultimately turned into early retirement. My days consisted of dragging myself out of bed to get the kids to school, and then spending all day in bed until they came home. I wore only pajamas. I started to volunteer for my local C.O.P.S. chapter. That educator/nurturer piece of me started to surface again. Over the next few years, I started sewing during the day while the kids were at school after my mom suggested I do something creative with my time and use the sewing machine she gave me. Pajamas are easy to make and I started giving them out to friends. As an added bonus, they were a cheap way to stay dressed as I slowly gained what I like to call “Grief Weight.” I just smiled and nodded as people started to equate pajama pants with me. Little did they know that not only could I not bring myself to buy larger clothes, I could not afford them and pajamas are comfortable. My emotional trauma was shocked again when my mom died unexpectedly. Six months after her death I was making pajama pants every day just to always feel her with me. I came up with the name “Tami’s Jammies” and it just felt right. For National Police Week 2018, a good friend made blue line sling backpacks with Rich’s badge number, 33, on them. We got tons of comments and inquiries as to where to get them. The Blue Line Bag business began. Here I am today spending four to five hours a day sewing, enjoying the peace of it. When I get a Blue Line Bag order, I take the time to look up the officer and think about the family. I feel a great sense of pride when I send a finished bag off to a survivor. My emotional well-being is recharged each year at the Siblings Retreat. There is something so valuable about spending time with people who know exactly what I am going through. I saw my mom start to smile again after she attended the Parent’s Retreat. There is a group of moms that truly helped her move forward in a positive direction. I can never thank the C.O.P.S. organization enough for what it has done for me and my family. I am donating $5 for every bag sold to C.O.P.S. to help them further their mission of Rebuilding Shattered Lives. In my own small way, maybe I can help pay for other families to have the same support I have had. To check out Tami’s Jammies, visit www.tamisjammies.com Tami McMillan Surviving Sibling of Officer Rich May EOW 1/7/2006 #SurvivorStories
By Concerns of Police Survivors 12 Oct, 2023
On July 21, 2009, Jersey City (NJ) Police Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo was shot while pursuing two murder suspects. After transport to a nearby hospital, Detective DiNardo succumbed to his wounds. He left behind his wife, Mary, and three children; Gwendolyn, Marc Anthony II, and Ella, all of whom were under the age of five. “In the early days, I just wanted to make sure my kids were okay,” Mary said. “We connected with the Garden State C.O.P.S. Chapter to be taken to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Wall in April so we could see Marc’s name engraved.” It was during this trip that Mary found that everyone on that bus understood what her family was feeling. Mary added, “We needed C.O.P.S. because they get it.” A month later, the DiNardo family attended National Police Week with the Garden State C.O.P.S. Chapter assisting them every step of the way. “I remember going into orientation and having a mother grab me and hug me, because she knew it was exactly what I needed,” Mary said. In the years that have followed, the DiNardo family have attended Spouses Retreat, Kids Camp, and Young Adults Camp. Now 14 years later, they have made friendships that will last a lifetime. “I still have days where it hits me that my dad isn’t going to be there for important things,” Gwendolyn said, “I get through these feelings by knowing that I am not alone and that I can always reach out to my friends I have met through C.O.P.S. that will support me.” Having grown up with C.O.P.S., the DiNardo children discussed the possibility of going back to Kids Camp as mentors. For Mary, the idea of running for a position on the National Board is not out of the question, now that her children are older and she can give more of her time. The reason is simple and Mary said it best, “C.O.P.S. is life-changing.” Mary, Gwendolyn, Marc Anthon II and Ella DiNardo Surviving Family Members of Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo Jersey City (NJ) Police Department EOW 7/21/2009 #SurvivorStories
By blake_haynes 29 Sep, 2023
Matt Bloesch was a typical 13-year-old trying to find his place in the world. His dad was his best friend who he respected and looked to for guidance. Matt’s world was completely shattered on August 2, 1988, when his dad, San Francisco (CA) Police Officer James Bloesch, was accidentally shot and killed while on duty. Through the rest of his teen years and into adulthood, Matt became fiercely independent and distracted himself with sports, partying, and eventually his career. “I was good at things like work because there was an instruction manual. But I never learned how to be a good dad, husband, or friend because I never learned how to deal with my emotions,” said Matt. Matt’s world started to collapse around him and he knew he needed help. Matt said, “I was trapped for a long time because I thought I was the only one suffering and feeling the way I felt. When other people opened up to me about what they were going through, I no longer felt alone, and I felt safe talking about all of the dark....
By Concerns of Police Survivors 07 Sep, 2023
Following the death of her brother, Iowa State Trooper Mark Toney, EOW 9/20/2011, Debbie Wiseman was looking for someone to understand what she was going through. It didn’t take long before she was put in contact with the Illinois C.O.P.S. Chapter and other surviving siblings who had walked in her shoes. “They convinced me to attend my first “Sibs” Retreat in 2012,” Debbie said. “I made sure to drive myself, in case it was just crying for three straight days. I was done with the crying and hoping to be away from it. I came in and met some truly amazing people, and I have been back about every year since.” Since attending that first Siblings Retreat, Debbie has devoted herself to not just taking care of her own grief needs, but to assisting other survivors with theirs. She recognizes that everybody needs a listening ear of someone who has lived through the experience and can truly relate. “I had people there for me who understood,” Debbie said. “I want to make sure that I am there for others and their families, to make sure they have someone helping them like we did.” The Illinois C.O.P.S. Chapter won the Chapter of the Year Award during National Police Week 2022. Their service to Illinois survivors is incredible, and Debbie is a big part of that. She currently serves as Vice President of the Chapter Board, as well as the Family Liaison where she is one of the first to connect with surviving families after a line-of-duty death. “If I can help a survivor in any way, I will,” Debbie said. “Assisting others helps me remember my brother. In many ways, his death has made me a better person; it has pushed me out of my comfort zone and allows me to build connections that I would have otherwise never made.” Debbie Wiseman Surviving Sibling of Trooper Mark Toney Iowa State Patrol EOW 9/20/2011 #SurvivorStories 
By Concerns of Police Survivors 30 Aug, 2023
On July 21, 2009, Jersey City (NJ) Police Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo was shot while pursuing two murder suspects. After transport to a nearby hospital, Detective DiNardo succumbed to his wounds. He left behind his wife, Mary, and three children; Gwendolyn, Marc Anthony II, and Ella, all of whom were under the age of five. “In the early days, I just wanted to make sure my kids were okay,” Mary said. “We connected with the Garden State C.O.P.S. Chapter to be taken to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Wall in April so we could see Marc’s name engraved.” It was during this trip that Mary found that everyone on that bus understood what her family was feeling. Mary added, “We needed C.O.P.S. because they get it.” A month later, the DiNardo family attended National Police Week with the Garden State C.O.P.S. Chapter assisting them every step of the way. “I remember going into orientation and having a mother grab me and hug me, because she knew it was exactly what I needed,” Mary said....
By Concerns of Police Survivors 25 Aug, 2023
Randomly stumbled across this picture today. Thinking of and missing you, Dad! đź’™ #concernsofpolicesurvivors #cops
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Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us continue our mission of rebuilding shattered lives.

Glock has donated more than $770,000.
Point 27 has donated more than $1,450,000.
FBINA has donated more than $805,000.
The McDavid Group Charities has donated more than $755,000.
Streamlight has donated more than $2,073,000.
USSS-ERA has donated more than $805,000.
Ride4COPS has donated more than $643,000.
Off-Road United has donated over $582,000.
Apex Tactical has donated more than $285,000.
JUSTIS has donated more than $3,168,000.
Blue Knights COPSRUN has donated more than $455,000.
JFCU has donated more than $322,000.
Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo has donated more than $749,000.
Motorola Solutions Foundation has donated more than $1,080,000.
Law Enforcement United has donated more than $4,087,000
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