.............. Our Mission

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. 

Furthermore, COPS provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.

.............. Our Purpose

Section 1.   The Louisiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors shall address the emotional, psychological, financial and legal problems that arise from the loss of a loved one in the law enforcement profession. The family of any officer dying in the line of duty within Louisiana may use the services of COPS.   COPS members, while providing support to fellow survivors shall also address the problems that affect active officers, their families and their law enforcement agency and help them better understand the mission of COPS.

Section2.   It shall be the aim of this organization to minister to the needs of police survivors in offering support during troubled times, securing financial counseling, and focusing in on the problems that affect the police community and police survivors.

Section3.   COPS will also undertake community awareness campaigns to encourage communities and citizens to recognize the daily sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and their families.

The death of a law-enforcement officer shall be considered "line of duty" if it qualifies for payment of death benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program.

Executive Board Members

PRESIDENT - James Cook, father of Reserve Police Officer James Cook, Jr EOW 1990  Westlake Police Department (337) 436-9625 or Cell (337) 842-8680

VICE-PRESIDENT - Pat Carruth, mother of Patrolman Jeremy (Jay) Carruth  EOW 2003 Alexandria Police Department (318) 357-3040 or Cell (318) 308-2850

2nd VICE-PRESIDENT - Betty Newman Perry, widow of Lt Richard Earl Newman Sr. EOW 1993  Crowley Police Department (337)783-0562 or Cell (337) 250-2151    

SECRETARY -Melissa Harrelson,  widow of Sergeant Kurt Harrelson EOW 2003, Lafourche Parish SO (985) 537-7158 or Cell (985) 637-2673 

TREASURER -Janet Newman Thompson -Adult Child of  Lieutenant Richard Earl Newman Sr.  EOW 1993  Crowley Police Department (337) 788-3645 

LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON – Lt June Murdock, co-worker of Patrolman Jeremy (Jay) Carruth & Private First Class David Ezernack EOW 2003  Alexandria Police Department (318) 441-6441 or Cell (318) 201-9583 

REGIONAL COORDINATORS:

NORTHWEST – Wendy Hutchison, mother of Patrol Officer Trey Hutchison EOW 2004 Bossier City PD (318)746-4008 or  Cell (318)470-6356

NORTHEAST – Elaine Johnston, widow of Sgt Doug Johnston EOW 1997 – LA State Police (318)281-5093 or Cell (318)376-5093

CENTRAL – Pat Carruth, mother of Patrolman Jeremy (Jay) Carruth  EOW 2003 Alexandria Police Department (318) 357-3040 or Cell (318) 308-2850

SOUTHWEST – Betty Newman Perry, widow of Lt Richard Earl Newman Sr. EOW 1993  Crowley Police Department (337)783-0562 or Cell (337) 250-2151 

SOUTHEAST – Dottie and Don Tardy, parents of Officer Christopher Wayne Russell EOW 2002 New Orleans PD (504) 366-5802 or Cell (504) 812-1471