| Correctional Compass September 2000 |
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The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) is a national, non-profit charitable organization created in 1984. It is dedicated to the preservation and support of the surviving families of Correctional Peace Officers who have lost their lives. It also offers an assistance program to assist correctional officers and/or their families in times of emergency, extreme personal crisis or other critical need. More information on the foundation can be found at www.cpof.org .
I was very fortunate to be given
an opportunity to attend. The
memorial service honoring our fellow
officers from around the nation
who were killed in the line of
duty was conducted under a B-52
Bomber in front of the United
States Air Force Academy (with
the picturesque Rocky Mountains
in the background). It was an
honor to attend this conference
and see what the Correctional
Peace Officers Foundation is really
all about. This is one of the
only organizations that will actually
assist a correctional officer or
a probation officer in a genuine
time of need.
-Circuit Administrator Robert Gordon, Daytona Beach P&P
Before attending the National
CPOF Memorial Ceremonies, I
felt that we had finally found
an organization that would truly
support our employees and we
have! I experienced so many
emotions and they all made me
proud that the employees of
Lancaster CI have supported the
foundation so generously.
The theme: "Taking Care of Our
Own" not only covers the fallen
officers but their families and
children as well. On each
occasion, when the pipe band
marched in playing "Amazing
Grace," I did not see anyone
seated nor did I see a dry eye in
the house.
Afterwards, our Honor Guard was
granted the privilege of presenting
the spent rounds from the 21
gun salute to the families at the
banquet. This is where my heart
just grieved, looking in the eyes and
faces of the families and seeing their
pain and suffering.
It was truly an honor for
Sumter CI Honor Guard and
this warden to represent Florida
DOC, CPOF and the nation to
recognize, honor and pay tribute
to the "fallen officers" and their
families. I am most proud of
my staff for the fine job and
personal touch.
During my stay I had the
opportunity to join in a lunch
banquet seminar, where a video
was shown telling a little about
each person whose life was taken
over the past year. When I go to
work I never really think I may
not be going home, although I am
well aware of my surroundings
and the fact that a situation could
arise. Now even more so after
seeing the video and hearing how
some of these people lost their
lives, I have new respect for my
job and my fellow employees.
After the service there was a
luncheon in which Sumter CI
Honor Guard presented the
families of the fallen officers with
a spent shotgun shell. This
moment was very special for me.
It gave me the opportunity to let
someone know that just because I
did not know their loved one
personally that they will be
remembered for their ultimate
sacrifice.
I've been in the most elite group
in the military and been, done,
seen and experienced different
things and situations around the
world. So, I figured this would be
a walk in the park mission for us.
I'm here to tell you that this
ceremony has ranked in the top
three in my book.
The fellowship that I saw displayed,
the willingness to put it all
on the line for your comrades,
their devotion to protect the
public made me proud to be
associated with these correctional
officers and probation
and parole officers. I am also
proud to say, "I work for the
Florida Department of
Corrections."
We marched to the sound of
bagpipes by the Emerald Pipe
Bands from New York City and
the Connecticut DOC to our
positions by the B-52 bomber.
My body and my heart swelled
with pride to be there. At times,
keeping focused throughout the
ceremony was difficult, my eyes
swelled with tears.
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| Correctional Compass September 2000 |