Every year Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) hosts a week-long camp for children ages 6-14, a wilderness experience for teens ages 15-20, and weekend retreats for adult children, siblings, spouses, in-laws, and parents of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In fall of 2010, C.O.P.S. will host an inaugural affected co-workers retreat.

"C.O.P.S retreats help you see that life can get better and that moving on does not mean forgetting. C.O.P.S understands the sacrifice your officer went through and helps you keep their memory alive." - Melanie Teagan, surviving spouse of Lt. Delmar Teagan, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, End of Watch 4/13/2007

In 2009, 649 survivors attended C.O.P.S. Hands-On Programs. The average cost was $592 per person. All programs provided to the survivors by C.O.P.S. are free of charge; the price paid is already too high.

"I was scared to attend Siblings Retreat and waited until the last day to sign up. It was the best decision I ever made and I have attended each year since. It's a place where I can share my story and hear other stories of what siblings are going through. I have made so many new brothers and sisters over the past five years. I know I can call or email them no matter what time of day it is. They understand that we are never going to get over the loss; but we can recover from the loss." - Andrea Lomas, surviving sibling of New Jersey State Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman III, End of Watch 2/5/2004

At these retreats, survivors attend grief seminars led by mental health professionals and find great support from their peers. At the retreats survivors also learn new outdoor skills and rebuild self-esteem which is often destroyed with the sudden, violent death of a loved one.

"It took everything for me to go to camp, at a time when I didn't want to do anything but stay in bed. Then I went to a camp that made me feel-Yes I can survive, I can be myself, I can cry, I can laugh, I can just be. I am so thankful there is an organization that cares, who understand a hero gave the ultimate sacrifice, to know their children will be taken care of... their family can survive." - Theresa Lozada, surviving spouse of Sr. Corporal Victor Lozada, Dallas Police Department, End of Watch 2/22/2008

Concerns of Police Survivors prepares for a busy summer and fall with eight Hands-On Programs planned in 2010. To learn more about the organization and the programs offered to America's law enforcement survivors visit www.nationalcops.org.

C.O.P.S. 2010 Hands-On Program Dates and Locations

Kids Camp

July 26- August 1, 2010

Salvation Army Lake Camp, East Troy, WI

Outward Bound

July 26- August 1, 2010

Mountain Climbing, Leadville, CO

Siblings Retreat

September 10-13, 2010

YMCA Trout Lodge, Potosi, MO

Spouse Retreat

September 17-20, 2010

YMCA Trout Lodge, Potosi, MO

Affected Co-Workers Retreat

October 1-4, 2010

YMCA Trout Lodge, Potosi, MO

In-Laws Retreat

October 15-18, 2010

YMCA Trout Lodge, Potosi, MO

Parents Retreat

October 29- November 2, 2010

C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, Little Rock, AR

Concerns of Police Survivors' mission since 1984 has been to "rebuild shattered lives" of the surviving family members and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. C.O.P.S. aids the surviving family members through strong peer support...survivors helping survivors, the foundation on which the organization was built.

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