Law Enforcement Ambassador Spotlight: Brent Clark

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund enjoys the support of a special group of volunteers: Law Enforcement Ambassadors and Guardians. Law Enforcement Ambassadors are active and retired law enforcement officers from city, state, federal and military law enforcement agencies, while Law Enforcement Guardians are volunteers who support and honor law enforcement but are not sworn officers, allowing citizens, family members and corporate supporters to work closely with the Memorial Fund in achieving their goals.


This month, we honor Law Enforcement Ambassador Brent Clark, who has been an Ambassador for the past four years. Not only has Brent volunteered countless hours during National Police Week and throughout the year, he works closely with our staff to coordinate our Law Enforcement Appreciation events with professional sports teams across the country.



Brent Clark with Vincent D’Onofrio at 2011 Ambassador Reception

Brent is an active federal law enforcement agent. Originally from Michigan, he has been assigned to the New York City area, but is currently back in Michigan on special assignment. Brent not only volunteers his personal time and energy to support the mission of the Memorial Fund and Museum, he is also a personal donor to the “A Matter of Honor” Campaign to build the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Brent has volunteered countless hours outside of National Police Week and was responsible for making the November 2011 – Detroit Red Wings Law Enforcement Appreciation Night a great success. Brent worked closely with Memorial Fund staff, the Detroit Red Wings and Michigan law enforcement to organize the event, which raised over $18,000 for the Museum campaign.

Brent is currently working with the Detroit Tigers to organize another Law Enforcement Appreciation Night which will be held on April 19, 2012 at Comerica Park. Ten dollars of every Law Enforcement Appreciation Night ticket will be donated to the Museum campaign and ticket buyers will receive a limited edition Memorial Fund/Detroit Tigers challenge coin.

Brent Clark was also instrumental in helping the Museum acquire a steel beam from the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He is an honored member of the Memorial Fund’s extended family and we recognize, with gratitude, his service and leadership to our country and our organization.

Interested in becoming an Ambassador/Guardian? Visit http://www.nleomf.org/contribute/ambassadors/.

Law Enforcement Ambassador Spotlight: D. Michael Kruggel

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is comprised of a special group of volunteers:   Law Enforcement Ambassadors and Guardians. Law Enforcement Ambassadors are active and retired law enforcement officers from city, state, federal and military law enforcement agencies. Law Enforcement Guardians are volunteers who support and honor law enforcement but are not sworn officers,  allowing citizens, family members and corporate supporters to work closely with the Memorial Fund in achieving their goals.

This blog is the first in a new series designed to highlight the many contributions of our Law Enforcement Ambassadors and Guardians. Interested in becoming an Ambassador/Guardian? Visit http://www.nleomf.org/contribute/ambassadors/.

This month, we honor Law Enforcement Ambassador D. Michael (Mike) Kruggel, who has been an Ambassador for the past four years.  Not only has Mike volunteered countless hours during National Police Week and throughout the year, he has also recruited his two sons, Jason and Michael, as volunteers. 

Mike is a retired police officer from southern California who now resides in Tennessee.  He is the Founder and CEO of the Office of Special Investigations, LLC, a provider of investigation services throughout the United States and a $25,000 donor to the “A Matter of Honor” Campaign to build the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Craig W. Floyd, Chairman & CEO of the Memorial Fund with Ambassador Mike Kruggel and his son.

Mike’s volunteer leadership spans the entire year, frequently stopping by the Memorial offices to lend a hand.  During National Police Week, Mike and his sons can be found at the Memorial helping surviving family members and officers find names on the wall or assisting customers and stocking shelves at the Retail Center. 

Mike Kruggel is an honored member of the Memorial Fund’s extended family and we recognize, with gratitude, his service and leadership to our organization.

In Memory of K-9 Maggie Sheridan, Louisa County (VA) Sheriff's Office

In December 2011, K-9 Maggie Sheridan, an American Kennel Club registered black and tan Bloodhound of the Louisa County (VA) Sheriff's Office, was killed while tracking a suicidal subject. As she neared the suspect's home, a pit bull attacked and bit her; she later died as a result of an infection from the bites.

Maggie's handler, Lt. Patrick Sheridan said, "Maggie was a gem. It takes a lot of training and the right handler, but the results and the benefits of that are just priceless."

According to The Charlottesville NewsPlex, Maggie worked a total of 348 cases in her career. Below is a special tribute video in Maggie's honor.

K9 Maggie from Richard MacDonald on Vimeo.

Visit the tribute page devoted to Maggie on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-LCSO-K-9-Maggie/252842458111355

Six Law Enforcement Officers Shot & Killed in Seven Days

The past week has been especially deadly for law enforcement with seven officers killed while on duty, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.  Firearms-related fatalities account for six of these seven fatalities, as armed and dangerous criminals continue to target law enforcement officers.

Sergeant Abimael Castro-Berrocales of the Puerto Rico Police Department was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop, and Park Ranger Margaret Anderson of the U.S. Department of the Interior - National Park Service, was shot and killed while attempting to stop a fleeing suspect. The third, Ogden (UT) Police Officer Jared Francom, was fatally shot while serving a drug-related warrant on January 4.  Five other officers were shot in the Ogden incident and are currently in critical to stable condition.

Last night, Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO, Craig W. Floyd appeared on ABC World News to discuss the disturbing increase in firearms-related law enforcement fatalities.

“Our law enforcement officers are being asked to do more with less and we must provide them the necessary tools to do their jobs effectively and safely,” said Mr. Floyd. “And we need a tougher criminal justice system that will protect our country’s citizens, including our peace officers, who have become visible and vulnerable targets for criminals,” he added. 

In 2011, 177 law enforcement officers died were killed—a 16 percent increase over the 153 officer fatalities in 2010 and an astounding 45 percent increase over the 122 officer fatalities in 2009. Seventy-one of the fatalities in 2011 were firearms-related incidents, a 20 percent increase over the 59 firearms-related fatalities in 2010.

A Closer Look: Traffic-related Law Enforcement Fatalities

For the past 13 years, traffic-related incidents have been the highest cause of law enforcement fatalities. As of December 14, 2011, traffic-related law enforcement fatalities are down 16% from the same time in 2010.

Seventy law enforcement officers died in traffic-related incidents in 2010, with 49 killed in automobile crashes, 14 struck and killed, six officers killed in motorcycle crashes and one officer killed in a bicycle crash.

So far in 2011, there have been 42 officers have been killed in automobile crashes, nine officers struck and killed, seven killed in motorcycle crashes and two killed when a train struck their vehicle.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund will issue its annual Preliminary Law Enforcement Fatality Research Bulletin on December 28, 2011, which will contain more detailed information about traffic-related fatalities and all law enforcement fatalities.

This blog is part of a series highlighting the risks law enforcement officers face on the road, as part of  an innovative partnership  with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote law enforcement officer safety on the roadways.

Remembering Robert Gordon

Craig Floyd presents Mr. Gordon
with the Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2011.

Today, the Memorial Fund mourns the loss of its close friend and Board Member, Robert Gordon.

Robert (Bob) Gordon was a Founding Board Member of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. During his 27 years with the organization, he served as an original member of the Names and Officer of the Month Committees.

Mr. Gordon served the law enforcement community with distinction for nearly 60 years, starting with his appointment to the Freeport (NY) Police Department in 1952. He was a longtime police labor union leader and lobbyist and the Secretary Treasurer of the United Federation of Police.

Earlier this year, Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO, Craig W. Floyd presented Mr. Gordon with a Lifetime Achievement Award, for his leadership and dedication to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Mr. Gordon will be greatly missed; condolences to his family.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Somprab, Chief of Kota Baru Police Station in Thailand, took the time to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial earlier this week in Washington, DC.

Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO, Craig W. Floyd, guided Lt. Somprab through the Memorial, telling the history of how it was created and highlighting the construction of the National Law Enforcement Museum, right across the street from the Memorial.

At the conclusion of the tour, Mr. Floyd and Lt. Somprab did an etching of Fred Morrone’s name, located on Panel: 10-W: 23 of the Memorial’s walls. Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, Fred Morrone was killed ten years ago during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Lt. Somprab was moved by Fred Morrone’s heroism and plans to frame the etching in his office upon his return to Thailand.