WASHINGTON, May 9, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Everyday more than 850,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line in order to protect and serve others in their communities. In 2005, 157 officers in the U.S. and 11 in Canada were killed in the line of duty. The average age of the fallen was 38, and many families were left behind to forge on and face the challenges ahead.
This year the TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers and American Public University are joining together to give back to the law enforcement community and recognize these sacrifices during 2006 National Police Week in Washington.
WHO: Chief Charles Ramsey, Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police
Department
David Fisher, Father of Officer Owen Fisher, Flint, Mich.
End of Watch 7/16/2005
Gerry Anderson, Executive Director, TASER Foundation for
Fallen Officers
Dr. Frank McCluskey, Executive Vice President and Provost,
American Public University
Jeff Kuhn, Director, Public Safety Programs, American
Public University
WHAT: Please join us for the kick-off announcement of the Living
the Legacy Scholarship program for family members of law
enforcement officials who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
WHEN: Friday, May 12, 2006 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club
529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC
For more information please contact:
Gerry Anderson, Gerry@TASER.com or 602.326.6176
Beth LaGuardia, BLaGuardia@APUS.EDU or 703.396.6421
Jennifer Burke, Jennifer.burke@dittus.com or 202.715.1547
The TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers (www.TASERFoundation.org) was established in 2004 by TASER International, Inc. to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen officers. The initial $1 million endowment was donated by TASER International employees and its board of directors. TASER International bears all administrative costs so that 100 percent of all donations go directly to the families.
American Public University (www.apus.edu) offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate and continuing education programs, delivered 100 percent online. Program areas include emergency and disaster management, homeland security, criminal justice, management, public health, business, and more. Faculty are leaders, educators and professionals in their field.