The National Pawnbrokers Association, Keller, TX, recently donated $8,000 to Concerns of Police Survivors’ (C.O.P.S.) Scholarship fund, nearly doubling the total amount of their contributions to C.O.P.S.  The National Pawnbrokers Association’s total contribution over the past 8 years is $19,000 and that money has been given to surviving children and spouses of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.



Since 1994 C.O.P.S. has given $981,241 in scholarships to 291 survivors of fallen officers who do not receive tuition-free education as a state death benefit.  Additionally, C.O.P.S. provides scholarships to survivors who may no longer meet their state’ eligibility for assistance.  These scholarships would not have been possible without support from organizations like the National Pawnbrokers Association. These scholarships are not a loan and no repayment is necessary. Concerns of Police Survivors does not charge for any of the programs or services that it provides to the more than 15,000 surviving family members; they have paid a high enough price.

Eight survivors received scholarships this year that were made possible through National Pawnbrokers Association’s contribution:

Carrie Burkeen is a student at Columbia State Community College, IN, where she is working towards a degree in business administration. Carrie is the daughter of Officer Alan Ragsdale, Hohenwald Police Department, TN, End of Watch 11/27/2000.

Nicholas DeMutiis is a student at Syracuse University, NY, where he is working towards a bachelor’s degree. Nicholas is the son of Officer Nicholas DeMutiis, New York Police Department, NY, End of Watch 1/24/1994.

Le’Amber Dunn is a student at Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, where she will be working towards a degree in education. Le’Amber is the daughter of Corrections Officer Lee Dunn, of the Florida Department of Corrections, End of Watch 1/24/2000.

Tiffany Gort-Mejia is a student at Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury, MD, where she is working toward a degree in radiology. Tiffany is the daughter of Detective Evelyn Gort, Metro Dade Police Department, FL, End of Watch 10/30/1993.

Shala Shores is a student at American River College, Sacramento, CA, where she is working toward a degree in natural resources/wildlife biology. Shala is the daughter of Detective Dave Miller, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento, CA, End of Watch 1/2/1983.

Renald-Riel Stephens is attending DeKalb Technical College, Clarkston, GA, where he is working toward a degree in drafting. Renald is the son of Deputy Marshall Randy Stephens, Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI, End of Watch 2/16/1998.

Jamie Van Horn is a student at University of Washington, Seattle, where she is working toward a degree in pre-medicine/science. Jamie is the daughter of Sergeant Steven Van Horn, Municipal Law Enforcement Police Department, CA, End of Watch 11/16/1997.

Stacie Villegas is a student at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, where she is working toward a degree in psychology. Stacie is the daughter of Deputy Sheriff Manuel Villegas, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, CA, End of Watch 3/19/2007.

For the Spring 2010 semester, C.O.P.S. recently awarded a total of $46,598 in scholarships to 31 surviving children and 3 surviving spouses of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. It is the belief of the C.O.P.S.’ National Board that higher education should not be put in jeopardy or disrupted because of the unforeseen tragedy that has befallen on the family. National Pawnbrokers Association has played a role in making that happen.

Applicants seeking financial assistance for education purposes can receive up to $1,500 per semester, and total scholarship awards to one individual can run as high as $12,000 maximum lifetime. C.O.P.S. scholarships are awarded three times annually for fall semester, spring semester, and summer semester. All applicants must be surviving spouses or children of officers who are determined to be killed in the line of duty according to Federal criteria.  A complete application is required for consideration for each semester; C.O.P.S. Scholarship application forms can be found online at www.nationalcops.org/serv05.htm.

Since 1984 Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) mission has been to “rebuild shattered lives” of the surviving family members and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.  C.O.P.S. helps the officers’ survivors by providing emotional support and healing programs needed to cope with a sudden, violent death.  C.O.P.S. is a national organization with 50 chapters throughout the United States.  C.O.P.S. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization.  The national membership includes 15,000 surviving families and, unfortunately, that membership continues to grow as 140-160 law enforcement officers are killed every year in the line of duty.

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