SURVIVORS OF BLUE SUICIDE

The Beginning

In July of 2018, Danny Overley, Retired Deputy Chief of Indianapolis Police Department and Immediate Past Trustee Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, approached the National Board of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) about helping the families and co-workers of officers who die by suicide. The National Board requested the Executive Director of C.O.P.S. research options on how C.O.P.S. could help these survivors. After extensive research it was determined C.O.P.S. did not have the capability to manage what could ultimately triple the number of survivors it served. Shortly thereafter, Shelley Jones, C.O.P.S. Director of Operations, submitted a proposal to the C.O.P.S. National Board to help these families. This proposal included Laurie Putnam, C.O.P.S. Director of Chapter and Survivor Support joining Shelley. In January 2020, the National Board of C.O.P.S., voted to help start a separate organization for survivors of law enforcement suicide. The new organization would be modeled after C.O.P.S. and would bring the services offered by C.O.P.S. to law enforcement suicide survivors by providing Survivor Weekend Retreats and a peer support network to survivors. With the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), supporting this mission, Shelley and Laurie began the journey alongside a committee of survivors. SBS was made possible through the generous donations made by the C.O.P.S.’ National Board and Past Leadership and Law Enforcement United.The committee comprised of Shannon Dance, surviving spouse; Jason Gould, surviving adult child; Danny Overley, retired Deputy Chief/FOP; Anastasia Pytal, mental health liaison; Brian Stahl, surviving co-worker; and Julie Zielinski, surviving mother began working on the name, mission, vision, values and the organization’s logo. Shortly after meeting, Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation (SBS) was incorporated with the mission of fostering hope by uniting survivors of law enforcement suicide to support one another and honor our fallen heroes.

Vision & Core Values

Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation, Inc. (SBS) addresses the emotional and psychological needs that arise from the loss of a loved one by suicide in the law enforcement profession. The family and co-workers of any active or retired law enforcement officer who has died by suicide in the United States and its territories may use the services of SBS.

Vision

To provide all survivors and co-workers of law enforcement suicide with enduring support while working with the agency to provide respect and dignity to the families and law enforcement community.

Remembrance: We inspire others to honor the life they lived, not how they died.

Integrity: We are guided by collective moral compasses, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Dignity: We are committed to respecting survivors, law enforcement officers and the agencies impacted by officer suicide. Diversity: We encourage and celebrate the diverse voices of all suicide survivors and the law enforcement community. Support: We are dedicated to serving those affected by an officer suicide by fostering lifelong relationships, compassion and understanding. Community: We strive to educate law enforcement officers and agencies on best practices to help guide them and the families after an officer suicide.

Survivor Weekend Retreats

After suicide, survivors can be faced with the challenges of altered life plans, raising children, or learning to live alone, and deciding how to discuss their officer’s death. At the SBS Retreats, you will spend the weekend receiving support from and bonding with other survivors who genuinely know how you feel.

SBS Retreats provides a safe place to connect with each other and the staff. The Wellness Support staff, which includes licensed mental health professionals and peer support, will provide a session of facilitated conversation giving you the opportunity to discuss sensitive issues. They will also provide mini-workshops with topics such as grief and relationships. These workshops will be interactive and educational to assist in the new challenges you may be facing in multiple areas of

your life. You will also get the chance to participate in fun activities that may challenge your limits and relax in group activities that encourage a continued support system beyond the retreat. By attending SBS Retreats, you will leave with an increased sense of self-awareness and personal growth.

Honoring our Fallen Heroes Who Died by Suicide

On July 23 and 24, 2022 Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation hosted its 2nd Annual National Law Enforcement Suicide Survivors Conference and Blue Family Memorial Events in Indianapolis, IN. We were able to host these events because of support from corporations, associations and organizations like Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association. The surviving families and co-workers of our fallen heroes lost to suicide were able to come together and honor their officers and receive support from the law enforcement community. The families and co-workers found support from others who truly understand what they are going through. They established friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. resilience, gratitude, and forgiveness. The survivors participated in the Blue Light Vigil to honor and remember their officer. They also attended the Blue Family Memorial where they were escorted to the stage by a law enforcement officer when their officer’s name was called. While on stage they received a rose, a necklace and a thin blue line dog tag which were donated by Colonel David Dodd (ret.) and Shields of Strength. After the memorial they were able to view

the Memorial Wall bearing their officer’s name. For many, this is the first time the survivors have been recognized and their officer given the honors they so deserve. The kids spent the weekend with each other participating in fun activities and interacting with the law enforcement community. Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with families and co-workers of officers who died by suicide. Our mission is to “Foster hope by uniting survivors of law enforcement to suicide to support one another and honor our fallen heroes.” SBS hosts weekend retreats for spouses, parents, and co-workers. As SBS continues to grow more retreats will be added. As survivors travel their grief journey, they know they have a safe place where they do not have to feel the shame and stigma society has attached to suicide. They know they are honored, respected and not judged. Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation is honored to pay tribute to the life these officers lived and not judge them on how they died. In the words of a surviving spouse, “The memorial service, that was something else. That awakened an emotion that I have not experienced through this whole process, and that was the feeling that he was not forgotten, that what he did mattered, and he will forever be remembered. Coming home, everything is forgotten. No one talks about him, he’s not acknowledged, but now his name is on a wall to forever be remembered.” This is an event she will remember forever.

To view the 2022 memorial video visit https://youtu.be/4xY2YXM6Coc