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Greater Houston Concerns of Police Survivors "Rebuilding Shattered Lives"
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For more information, contact us at:
P. O. Box 73362 Houston, TX 77273-3362 Ph: 832-257-1499
Texas Peace Officers' Memorial Austin, TX
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GHCOPS Board
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President Cheryl Railsback (P/2009)
On July 13, 2009, I thought my world was over. That's the day my son, Deputy Shane Detwiler, was shot and killed answering a disturbance/shots fired call. I then met Jean Hill and Pat Hurst who came to the house that very day and spent time with me. This meant so very much to me to be able to talk with someone who had walked in the same shoes I was about to walk in. Jean and Pat both sat with me, cried with me and told me that they would be there for me for the long haul. Jean told me that my husband, Mike, and I should go to the C.O.P.S. Parents’ Retreat that would be held in October. Mike and I decided to attend the Retreat and boy, were we glad we did. As fresh as our situation was, it was one of the best things we have ever done for ourselves. Since that time, I knew that I needed to be involved with helping other surviving families through the loss of their officer. So, from day one, to where I am today, WOW! C.O.P.S. has made such an impact on my ability to get through this traumatic loss. I believe I have truly found my “sweet spot”. |
Vice President Dianne Egner (I/2003)
Life was changed forever on July 17, 2003 when my son-in-law was killed in a car accident while on duty. My story, like so many others, is filled with tragedy, hurt, and a sad feeling of where do we go from here? That is why I decided to join the C.O.P.S. organization. There are others like myself that don't realize we are not alone. The C.O.P.S. family helped me tremendously with that feeling of displacement that an "in-law" can feel. My story will be told to many and, hopefully, the power of healing will be passed on to someone else and they will also help us get the message out: You are not alone - I and many others are here to help you.
Deputy Constable John David Garcia Montgomery County Constable's Office, Pct 5 EOW 1/17/2003 |
Secretary Carol Lane (S/2004)
At approximately 3:00 a.m. on September 16, 2004, the most dreaded phone call I ever received was made by my brother's wife of twenty-nine years, Renee Lane. She said Mike had been flying the helicopter for the Beaumont Police Department that night and his helicopter had crashed. Later we learned Mike had been killed instantly. Mike was an accomplished pilot. C.O.P.S. has helped me realize that there are others who have experienced the pain of losing a loved one in the line of duty. Now, I am ready to help other survivors.
Beaumont Police Department EOW 9/16/2004 |
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Treasurer Amanda Wass (W/2006)
Being a widow at age 34 and left with a daughter to raise on my own is something I never imagined would happen to me, but it did. On April 23, 2006, my loving husband of eight years, Deputy Sheriff Donald Wass, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident enroute to the department headquarters. A speeding driver entered his lane and struck his motorcycle head-on. Part of me died on that day too. C.O.P.S. has given me the support I so desperately needed. Meeting and talking with other C.O.P.S. survivors has really helped me in my grief journey and I look forward to helping other survivors with their healing.
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National C.O.P.S. Mountain Region Trustee & GH C.O.P.S. Immediate Past President Cathy Hill (W/2000)
On a chilly December morning, Cathy Hill kissed her husband goodbye and told him that she loved him. Little did she know that within an hour after telling him goodbye, she would learn that she had told him goodbye for the last time. She was left alone with two daughters to raise by herself. How could this happen to her? This wasn't supposed to happen. All the dreams she and Barry had shared and planned for the last 20 years were gone. Cathy is committed to the cause of C.O.P.S. and is ready to help others who have to follow in her footsteps. Deputy Sheriff Barry Hill Harris County Sheriff's Department EOW 12/4/2000 |
GHCOPS Past Presidents
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