Children of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Remembered on Christmas

 by Jim Kouri  

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The National Association of Chiefs of Police provides age-appropriate new gifts to survivor children at Christmas time and at the time of each child's birthday in honor of their mother or father who was killed in the line of duty.

The thought of putting smiles on the faces of over 1,000 young children who've lost a father or mother in the line of duty has become a reality thanks to many generous Americans who have helped make Christmas a joyful time for these kids.

In 1990, National Association of Chiefs of Police treasurer Debbi Chitwood suggested that a program be put into place where age-appropriate new gifts be selected, wrapped and sent to survivor children at Christmas time and at the time of each child's birthday in honor of their mother or father who was killed in the line of duty.

Volunteering time on her weekends, a special computer program was devised by the American Police Hall of Fame archival records director to keep track of the ages and birthdays of the children.

In 15 years, the program has grown from a concept to a reality where the kids look forward to their gifts from the American Police Hall of Fame and write notes of thanks back which are shared with members, donors and friends.

Last year alone 833 survivor children were sent Christmas or holiday gifts and in recent years NACOP has added the names of children of disabled and paralyzed officers with the assistance of the National Association of Chiefs of Police.  This is a program that warms the hearts of the kids, concerned citizens, and staff alike who have already begun to send out gifts for the 2006 Christmas season.

Sadly, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty an average of one every three days. The Chiefs of Police Association, an organization with over 14,000 members, ensures that families of police officers who pay the ultimate sacrifice during the 2005 holiday season are also included so that no child is forgotten. The Association and the American Police Hall of Fame, based in Titusville, Florida (Orlando area), also send a special holiday ornament to every family survivor's home.

NACOP depends on local police chiefs, sheriffs or survivors themselves to keep the database current to ensure that the gifts are age and sex appropriate. Letters and e-mail are received from grateful children and parents who say the National Association of Chiefs of Police and the American Police Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by NACOP, are the only police organizations that remember the sons and daughters of fallen or injured police officers.

The National Association of Chiefs of Police, the American Federation of Police and the Police Hall of Fame also sponsor a college scholarship program for these kids who have suffered the loss of their parent.

For information on how to help make this a very Merry Christmas for the children of fallen law enforcement officers visit the Police Hall of Fame website.

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