Fallen Officer Jonathan Schmidt
Each year more than 140 officers are killed in the line of duty and that number is steadily growing.
McDonough, GA (PRWEB) April 26, 2012
The Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc. and the Police Benevolent Foundation, Inc. have officially launched the I Wish You Knew campaign, a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public about the adversities law enforcement officers and their families face every day. The campaign uses powerful video testimonies from the families of fallen officers as well as officers who have been injured in the line of duty.
The campaign seed was planted in 2010 at a small gathering of police supporters where the widow of a veteran officer shared her story. She told how her husband was tragically killed in the process of detaining a violent criminal. Tears flooded her eyes when she discussed the recent loss of her husband, but a smile came over her face as she said, “I wish you knew my husband…he was such a good man.” These powerful words left a lasting impression on everyone present that day and inspired the Police Benevolent Foundation to create the I Wish You Knew campaign. Over the next few months, a plan was cultivated and testimonies were collected from officers and their families. On video, the families were asked to share their personal stories of a day in the life of an officer and their family. The campaign will use these videos to capture the heart of this campaign.
Statistically, each year more than 140 officers are killed in the line of duty and that number is steadily growing. These local heroes are brave men and women who have chosen to serve their community and protect our families, homes and businesses. Those who are not killed are at risk of serious injury as a result of physical dangers encountered on the job. The FBI documents thousands of life threatening injuries to law enforcement officers that include gunshot wounds, assaults and physical confrontations, traffic accidents and many more. These injuries leave long lasting effects on the officers and their families. The effects are not only physical, but emotional and mental as well. As a result, the law enforcement profession has one of the highest rates of suicide of any profession in our county.
The compelling videos of these families can be viewed on the I Wish You Knew website (http://iwishyouknew.org).
Donations to the I Wish You Knew campaign will help the families of officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities as well as those officers who have been injured serving our communities. Donations will also assist in the education of law enforcement professionals about the dangers of post-traumatic stress disorder and its links to officer suicide.
I Wish You Knew what it feels give back to those who have given so much for us.
The Police Benevolent Foundation, Inc is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization established by the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (SSPBA) in 2005. Established in 1987, SSPBA has been serving its membership for 20 years. SSPBA is not a union. It is an independent association with no national or international affiliations. The Foundation has a Board of Directors elected by the membership of the SSPBA. Foundation expenses are currently absorbed by Southern States PBA, making the Foundation one of very few such entities that gives 100% of the funds received to its intended purpose.
