As president of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, Jon Vasquez has had to be more empathizer than executive this year. Every month, he’s been dealing with another officer killed in the line of duty.

So, members of the association are volunteering their time to help protect and serve the families of the fallen officers.

What You Need To Know

“We provide a benefit to the family member from the Heart Bill,” Vazquez said. “And we also do fundraisers. What the need is, we try to meet that need. We have partners throughout the community who help with scholarships, who help with mortgages, who help with financial like actual cash in hand.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Once the funerals are over, another group, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), steps in, taking those families on a retreat where they are given counseling.

“The whole motto of Concerns of Police Survivors is to help survivors rebuild a shattered life,” C.O.P.S. Acting President Stephanie Yaslowitz Barnes said. “And that’s what it is – a shattered life.”

That same group helped her cope with the death of her brother, St. Petersburg officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz, back in 2011.
“You can’t tell someone who lost their loved one that things are going to be okay,” Stephanie said. “But to help them to understand that you can move on. You’ll be able to use this death keep moving with his honor.”

If you’re interested in donating to the programs that help the families of fallen officers, visit this website.