Des Moines, IOWA (November 4, 2016) – In honor of the lives of Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Beminio and Urbandale Police Officer Justin Martin, as well as the three other Iowa officers killed in the line of duty this year alone, the 2017 Solheim Cup is donating $5,000 plus 10 percent of its November ticket sales to the statewide chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (Iowa C.O.P.S.).
Iowa C.O.P.S. is an all-volunteer organization that provides immediate support and response to local police departments and families upon the line of duty death of a police officer. This year the organization has responded to five different deaths, helping agencies and families plan funerals, organize processions and administer ceremonial rights befitting of a peace officer. Iowa C.O.P.S. also supports families in the months and years after the officer has died. The group offers counseling retreats and sends surviving family members and coworkers to the annual memorial ceremony in Washington D.C. during National Police Week. Iowa C.O.P.S. estimates it currently serves more than 350 family members and coworkers of officers who have died over many years.
To make a donation to Iowa C.O.P.S., please visit: https://www.iowacops.org/
To purchase tickets to the 2017 Solheim Cup visit: http://www.solheimcupusa.com/
Toni Galetich-Christofferson, Iowa C.O.P.S. Chapter Director said, “This has been a difficult year for the Iowa law enforcement community. There are now five more families, five more sets of coworkers that are grieving and in need of support. We’re humbled to play a small role in assisting these survivors and grateful for the financial support that makes our work possible.”
“The people of Iowa have shown their patriotic spirit for our patriotic event. But in the end it’s just golf. And we know the true patriots are the men and women in black and blue that keep us safe every day,” said Team USA Captain Juli Inkster. “This is a small, but important way the 2017 Solheim Cup can honor all officers killed while on duty – by making sure their families have support along the difficult road ahead.”
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