Last week marked the 4th anniversary of Trooper Calvin Taylor’s fatal accident.  It also marked the 3-month anniversary of Trooper Todd Larkin’s fatal accident.  Anyone who reads this e-mail probably has a date of their own to remember.  We use the day to reflect.  The memories may bring tears and maybe even a smile.  It is also a day of “what-ifs.”

I hope you will consider your own “what-ifs”…What-if I pay better attention when I drive?  What-if I remind each person I know to do the same?  What-if we can educate one more person to move over?  What-if we could save one life?

In the 3 1/2 weeks since our last update, 20 law enforcement officers in the U.S. have lost their lives.  25% of the fatalities were the result of struck-bys.  We have to do more.

——————–

This past Saturday was marked the annual Trooper AG Cogdill Memorial Golf Tournament.  Although the rain threatened, it never showed.  With 53 golfers, it was a wonderful day and over $4000 was raised for the AG Cogdill Scholarship Fund.  Secretary Bryan Beatty (NC Crime Control and Public Safety) and his son Bryan, as well as Lt. Colonel Lockley (NCSHP) joined in on the fun.  If you could not make it this year, you can still make a contribution to the AG Cogdill Scholarhsip Fund.

On the same day of the golf tournament, a poker run was held near Nashville in memory of Trooper Todd Larkins.  Todd’s wife said they had an awesome turnout of over 200 bikes!

I was sent an amazing DVD this week from the Monroe Co. (Michigan) Intermediate School District.  A young driver who hit a Michigan State Police Officer was ordered by a judge to create a DVD as part of her sentencing. Instead of sending her to jail with a felony record, which was a possibility, she and others agreed to create the documentary and try to get a message across to as many people as possible.  You can read an article about this at here.As we approach the end of 2005, you will likely be making donations to organizations in order to receive a tax deduction (besides just for being a good person).  I understand the need out there for victims of Katrina and other disasters.  However, if you have the financial ability to make additional donations to other causes, please consider ours.  FORS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and we desperately need your help.  Our lives depend on it.