Officer Down Memorial Page: End of Watch Report June 2015

June 2015 fortunately had fewer line of duty deaths than the preceding month.  However, with nine line of duty deaths, it was still a tragic and deadly month.

One death was the result of a 9/11-related illness: the 162nd law enforcement officer to die as a direct result of the terror attack on September 11, 2001.

Five of the nine line of duty deaths this month were vehicular -- one motorcycle accident, two automobile accidents, and two accidents during vehicle pursuits.  These incidents bring the number of auto-related deaths in 2015 up to 28, a 4% increase over this time last year, and a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in even the most routine aspects of this job.

Two of the deaths this month were the result of felonious gunfire, bringing the total number up to 16 this year.

The other line of duty death in June occurred when an officer died due to complications during a surgical procedure required because of an assault he sustained in February of this year.

Please take a moment to recognize these heroes whose watch ended in June 2015:

Deputy U.S. Marshal Zacarias Toro 
Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service
EOW Sunday, June 14, 2015

Sheriff Ladson O'Connor
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Officer Rick Silva
Chehalis Police Department, WA
EOW Thursday, June 18, 2015

Officer Sonny Kim
Cincinnati Police Department, OH
EOW Friday, June 19, 2015

Officer Daryle Holloway
New Orleans Police Department, LA
EOW Saturday, June 20, 2015

Trooper Eric K. Chrisman
Kentucky State Police, KY
EOW Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Sergeant Christopher Kelley
Hutto Police Department, TX
EOW Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Sergeant Korby Kennedy
San Angelo Police Department, TX
EOW Thursday, June 25, 2015

Officer David Joseph Nelson
Bakersfield Police Department, CA
EOW Saturday, June 26, 2015





The Officer Down Memorial Page extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and agencies of these fallen heroes.  May they rest in peace.

Run for the Blue 5K

If you're looking for another way to support law enforcement, consider participating in the Run for the Blue 5K taking place this September in Clayton County, GA.

The Run for the Blue 5K is being organized and spear-headed by the family of  Mackenna Gosart, the 14-year old cross country runner who logged 118 miles this past January to honor each of the officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2014. 

As did her run in January, the Run for the Blue 5K this fall will support our friends at the Armor of God Project, a non-profit organization that provides tactical and ballistic vests to officers who are not issued them by their agencies and often cannot afford the expensive purchase on their own.  Mackenna already raised over $11,000 for Armor of God during her inspiration 118-mile month in January, and she's looking to continue her good work with this 5K in September.  Learn more about the Armor of God project here.

The Run for the Blue 5K also has a virtual option, so even if you're not in Georgia, you can register as a Ghost Runner and support this important cause from anywhere.

Get your tickets here, and support this great event!

ODMP Director to Participate in the World Police and Fire Games

The World Police and Fire Games are a biennial, international sporting event in which police officers, firefighters, customs, and corrections officers from around the world come together to compete in athletic and sporting events.  This event, founded in 1985, has grown to include nearly 12,000 athletes from all over the world who will compete in more than 65 events.  This year the WPFG will be held in Fairfax, VA and the National Capital Region from June 26th through July 5th.

We are excited to announce that the Officer Down Memorial Page will have a representative at this year's games!  Chris Cosgriff, Founder and Director of ODMP, is also a full-time police officer in the state of Virginia. He'll be a participant in the Games, riding in the 43.5 mile cycling road race. This will be his first time participating in the World Police and Fire Games.

"I think it's going to be a really great experience and I'm looking forward to participating.  With so many public safety professionals from all around the world coming together to compete, the WPFG is a really unique event," says Cosgriff. 

Cosgriff, an avid cyclist, also participated in Law Enforcement United's Road to Hope bicycle ride during National Police Week this year, his fifth consecutive time taking part in that event.  The Road to Hope honors the service and sacrifices of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

"The WPFG will be a very different experience from the LEU Road to Hope, I'm sure," adds Cosgriff.  "The Road to Hope event pays tribute to fallen law enforcement, so the the purpose behind the ride is very different.  At the Games, though, it's more about the competition and camaraderie.  I'm honored to represent my police department and the Officer Down Memorial Page."
   
Learn more about the World Police and Fire Games here and make sure to check in and see how Cosgriff fares in the cycling road race.