PGPD and COPS Team up for Families of Fallen Officers

 Prince George’s County, Maryland…. The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) teamed up with the Washington Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) to host a gathering of families of police officers killed in the line of duty from across the country.  On Saturday, May 15th, after President Obama spoke to families at the Capitol for Peace Officer Memorial Day, four metro buses carrying family members of fallen officers rolled into police headquarters in Palmer Park to enjoy a meal of barbequed chicken, hamburgers, chicken salad, fried fish, assorted salads, and a variety of homemade dessert.  As they exited the buses, they were greeted with hugs and handshakes by Chief of Police Roberto Hylton, members of the police department command staff, the Community Services Division, and volunteers from COPS.
 
Oliver Wendell Smith, the event coordinator and himself the father of a slain D.C. police officer, stated, “We hosted this event to give our survivors from across the country the chance to unwind after a very emotional day.  They have the chance to talk to other survivors who are going through the same pain of losing a loved one as they are.”

Chief of Police Roberto Hylton was moved emotionally by the strength of the survivors who visited headquarters.  “We had so many survivors thank us for co-hosting this gathering – the truth is, we are the ones who are blessed to have these brave family members in our presence.  Seeing the survivors arrive with pictures of their loved ones pinned to their shirts and listening to their stories nearly brought several of my commanders and me to tears.”

Chief Hylton thanked all of the volunteers who assisted with this effort including the Peer Support Team from the Montgomery County Police Department, PGPD Police Academy Alumni Association, Charles County Sheriff’s Department, DC Metropolitan Police Department, and Metro Transit Police Department.

For further information about this event, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Press Information Office at 301-772-4710.