News and Announcements :: February 20, 2009
Tucson Police Foundation Donates $35,000 to Send Hite Family and TPD to the National Peace Officers Memorial Events in Washington D.C.
Check presentation: click photo to enlarge
The Tucson Police Foundation presented a check for $35,000 today to Tucson Police Department Chief of Police Kermit Miller to send Hite family members and a contingent from TPD to the National Peace Officers Memorial Week in Washington D.C. The activities will take place from May 11 – 15.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as "Police Week". Every year since, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The first official memorial service took place on May 15, 1982. On that date, approximately 125 people gathered in Senate Park to honor 91 law enforcement officers. Over the past 22 years over 3,000 law enforcement officers have been honored from around our nation. The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15th has become one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). 191 fallen officers will be honored this year.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2008 the Tucson Police Foundation continued their mission to assist the Tucson Police Department and specifically the Erik Hite Memorial Fund by joining forces with four Tucson radio groups - Good News Broadcasting, Clear Channel Radio, Journal Broadcast Group, and Citadel Broadcasting on Thank A Cop Day. TPF board members distributed Thank A Cop bumper stickers, and offered Fallen Officer pins with black ribbon for a minimum donation of $10. The community stepped up in force. Cody Ritchie and American Openings both gave $5,000, and Software Testing Solutions and Don Mackey each gave $2,500 to support the cause.
Tucson Police Foundation Executive Director Mike Feder said "we are pleased to assist TPD and the Hite family for these meaningful memorial week activities. We hope this will serve to be a time for healing and reflection."
The Tucson Police Foundation, founded in 2003, is an independent, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to fostering public safety through community building, education, and outreach. In concert with the Tucson Police Department, the foundation works with a range of community safety advocates to develop and implement public safety and crime prevention programs. While the city budget provides the necessary resources to fund the operations of the Tucson Police Department, a number of important community programs have been threatened or cut due to lack of funding. The foundation was created as a catalyst in responding to this threat, so that no innovative program would be left behind. Private donations will be accepted to support these numerous projects. For more information, go to www.tucsonpolicefoundation.org