It is 2023 and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) is gearing up for our 39th year of hosting the National Police Survivors’ Conference during National Police Week in Washington, D.C.

It is 2023 and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) is gearing up for our 39th year of hosting the National Police Survivors’ Conference during National Police Week in Washington, D.C.

In this round of the FEDForum, Concerns of Police Survivors would like to share the Survivor Story of Garrett Garton, Surviving Child of Hawthorne Police Officer Andrew Garton, EOW 5/26/2011. Garrett was just 12 years old at the time of his father’s death. Here is his story in his own words.

Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) has grown from serving 35,000 survivors to over 55,000 in less than a decade. Statistics have shown an average of 140-160 officers dying in the line of duty each year, which, multiplied by their surviving family members and co-workers, explains why the membership has grown so fast. However, in the past two years, that average is changing, and it’s not in the declining direction, unfortunately.

The past few years have been especially hard on the law enforcement community. On average, between 140-160 officers die in the line of duty each year. 2020 had a violent start with the majority of the deaths being from gunfire, then COVID-19 hit and deeply impacted first responders.