Rebuilding Shattered Lives

My Brother, Deputy Brandon J. Nielsen was a police officer for St. John the Baptist Parish in Laplace, Louisiana. He was killed in the line of duty on August 16th, 2012. Brandon was a cops’ cop, loved what he did, and loved being a part of his community. Brandon loved his motorcycles and always said he was making it do what it does, in his Louisiana accent. Brandon was a jokester and can be so crude, but so loving at the same time. He was and still is the best brother I could ever ask for. Anyone would be so lucky to have met and been a part of his life. He left behind 2 daughters who were 6 and 13 when he was killed, 3 step-sons, our parents, and 1 niece who was 3 at the time of his death. There isn't a day that goes by that he is not missed or talked about. I hope I am making him proud every day. I was introduced to the C.O.P.S. organization exactly 1 year after my brother was killed. I attended Sibling's retreat in 2013 for the first time and at first, was not wanting to be there. I am such a people person, but being there thinking I was the only one who suffered such a great, tragic loss was not something I wanted to re-live again and again. Being there in 2013, I realized that I was not alone, I was no longer the "only child", and I met other siblings who were going through the same thing I was. My brother's death was felonious and having to go through the court system was not fun, but knowing others were going through the same thing, really did help me. I have attended Siblings Retreat every year after that and found my group of siblings my brother left me after his untimely death. Each year I went with different feelings, and my "Siblings" were there every step of the way to make sure I was not alone in those thoughts. They really helped me through my healing process and some of them were even at my wedding in 2021, attended my wedding, and even officiated my wedding. I felt as though my brother was there the entire time because I was able to share that special day with my newfound Siblings that came from my brother. Without the C.O.P.S. organization and the Hands-On-Programs of Siblings Retreat, I do not know where I would be physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I cannot thank this organization enough for healing me when I needed healing, protecting me when I needed protection, and helping me navigate through this new life I was given. I cannot thank this organization enough for having me not be the "only child" anymore, and for bringing me the people I needed the most to go through life together and love on and be loved on. Thank you C.O.P.S and all my Siblings for saving my life. JJ Granger Surviving Sibling of Deputy Brandon J. Nielsen St. John the Baptist Parish (LA) Sheriff's Office EOW 8/16/12 #SurvivorStories

I’m the daughter of Officer Charles D. Cole Jr., a long time officer at the Nassau County Police Department in New York. My Dad helped with rescue and recovery at ground zero after 9/11 and succumbed to 9/11 related brain cancer that spread throughout his body on August 14, 2011. Before his cancer diagnoses, my Dad was full of life, had an amazing sense of humor and was always referred to as a cops cop. He was always making jokes and pulling pranks, and loved his job with a passion. Not only was he a police officer, but he was also a firefighter and started off as an EMT in NYC, so he did it all. Once he became sick, the strong funny guy we all knew and loved slowly faded away, the hardest part of this all was watching him turn into another person, practically helpless. It was heartbreaking, especially when you’re only 15/16 and have your whole life with him ahead of you. I often think about the what if’s and how life would be with him here. It’s hard, but I know he’s with me every day. I’ve met so many amazing people after my Dads passing and C.O.P.S has also been a huge support system for my family. It’s a beautiful thing to have a family in blue also, I appreciate every one of them. I will always honor my father and will always proudly back the blue. Meagan Cole Surviving Adult Child of Officer Charles Cole Jr. Nassau County (NY) Police Department EOW 8/14/2011 #SurvivorStories

"To all, I am so sad to tell you that June Murdock, Surviving Co-Worker of Alexandria (LA) Police Officers Jeremy 'Jay' Carruth, David Ezernack, EOW 2/20/2003 and Patrolman Brian Coleman 2/21/2007, passed away last night around 9 PM. June was an incredible lady who gave so much of herself to others. She spent her whole life in service to others. Her goal at National Police Week (NPW) was to find the new survivors who looked the most lost to make them more comfortable and to make it just a bit easier for them. And she did. What a gift she was to C.O.P.S. and many of us personally. She will be so missed. I know many of you worked very closely with her and the volunteers at NPW. My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her, especially her husband Rusty,  her family, and her best friend Ms. Pat." - Dianne Bernhard, Executive Director of Concerns of Police Survivors

Growing up, Gabrielle (Leon) and Wyatt Woodrell shared a bond that many youths in America would never think about; both had their father die in the line of duty. Gabrielle and Wyatt met each other while in attendance at C.O.P.S. Kids Camp. The pair have always been close and knew that they could always reach out to one another for support when they needed it. Knowing that they had a peer who truly cared and understood what they were going through made all the difference in their respective grief journeys. “In every different phase of life there is always this unspoken thing," Gabrielle said. "You hit a new life milestone and dad’s not here. While this is happening, I think it is a very special thing that when I hit these milestones, I have someone next to me who understands because they are going through the same exact things.” Since meeting at Kids Camp in 2005 their relationship has blossomed and the happy couple find themselves building their lives together as they are now married. Through C.O.P.S. and their relationship, Gabrielle and Wyatt have been able to find support and continue to build their lives. Both have begun mentoring at C.O.P.S. Kids Camp to assist the organization, and child survivors in any way they can. “I just felt the need to give back, it was something I knew I needed to do," Wyatt said. "Kids Camp had and still has such a significant impact on me. I remember having amazing mentors to look up to and lean on and that’s what I want to be for my groups, I want to provide them with hope and encouragement.” Moving forward, both Gabrielle and Wyatt want to continue to be involved with C.O.P.S. Kids Camp Gabrielle and Wyatt Woodrell Surviving Children of Cleveland (OH) Police Officer Wayne Leon, EOW 6/25/2000 & Pawnee County (OK) Sheriff Dwight C. Woodrell, Jr., EOW 10/13/2001

Susan Green remembers her husband, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain George Green, Jr., EOW 10/26/2010, as someone who was always dedicated to his career in law enforcement. Even on the blind date they were set up to meet on. “He broke our first date to work a vehicular homicide of a 16-year-old boy who was hit and killed while riding his bike,” Susan said. “He thought he knew who did it so on his day off, he drove around to find the van, got a warrant, and the suspect was arrested. So, he broke our first date.” They would officially go out four days later, fell in love, and were married in 1981. Susan says George loved being a trooper. He was dedicated to his profession, but he was also a loving, caring, hands-on dad to their two sons. “After his accident I was lost. My faith in God calmed me and helped me have some sort of peace. My boys became my rock,” Susan said, explaining other family, friends, and neighbors also stepped in to help. Susan got involved with the Oklahoma C.O.P.S. Chapter, where she served as Chapter President. “It has helped me heal to be there for new survivors. I hope I make the grief process easier,” Susan said. “It is hard to have hope when it first happens, but I hope I help them see that life will get easier.” Susan continues to attend National Police Week so she can help families through such an emotional week. On the law enforcement side, she works with the Warrior’s Rest Foundation where she has learned so much more of the struggles her husband kept to himself. “My first event as Oklahoma C.O.P.S. President was a Traumas of Law Enforcement Training. I remember hearing things and thinking ‘my husband did that,’ and I didn’t understand that he was dealing with traumatic memories,” Susan said. “The more I learned, I knew there was a need that Warrior’s Rest could be part of the answer.” To her fellow survivors, Susan wants everyone to remember to be kind to yourself, especially in the first year. “At my first retreat, I saw spouses who were 10 to 20 years out from their officer’s death. They were laughing and that gave me hope that it may not always be so hard,” Susan said. “Understand that some days, just getting out of bed is an accomplishment. Don’t feel like you have to be strong all the time.” Susan Green Surviving Spouse of Captain George Green Jr. Oklahoma Highway Patrol EOW 10/26/2010 #SurvivorStories