Louisiana Chapter Concerns of Police Survivors

meet the board

The Louisiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors. All our Board members are survivors who volunteer for the organization. There is NO paid staff. It is important for survivors to attend community, state, and national memorials so they can experience the honor and the tribute being paid to their loved ones. Please join us for a meeting, an activity or an event… we’d love to have you!
I am an active Law Enforcement Officer; Detective Lieutenant at Chitimacah Tribal Police Department. My career took an unforeseen but always knew the possibility on January 26, 2013. That day became my D-Day as I call it; a day that would change me forever and destroy my normal. On that January morning, Sergeant Frederick "Rick" Riggenbach would pay the ultimate sacrifice as he was doing what he loved protecting and serving. I remember after that just being in a haze and going from memorial service to memorial service, but mostly just existing in life. The day Rick was killed I remember a couple showing up and did not know what they were talking about when they said Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). We went to Police Week and members of C.O.P.S. were there helping us navigate the week, I remember being so overwhelmed and it must have shown on my face because a Survivor would swoop in and guide me. As time would move forward in my journey and I attended a Louisiana C.O.P.S. there were a few people that kept in contact and kept mentioning an on hands program, Co-Workers retreat. I recall not thinking that I really needed to go to a retreat, I was doing fine on my own. Reluctantly I decided to go, more so to get them off my back by saying I went. It was at Co-Workers that I realized how much my life had changed and how important C.O.P.S. would become to me. My pivot in my journey or as I say my Life-Saving Change, it was where I also came to terms that I was not just a Co-Worker but a Survivor. I would return and become active in my State chapter and remain in contact with the connections I had made at retreat. I now go around the State and share Rick's story with other Law Enforcement Agencies and let them know what C.O.P.S. does fro Survivors and active Law Enforcement Officers. Last year I was invited to attend a Law Enforcement Liasion training and became the National Liasion for the State of Louisiana. As I start this new journey as a Louisiana C.O.P.S. Executive Board, I want all Survivors to know that I am here for each of you and if you need anything from me, please reach out. To the Law Enforcement Agencies across the State of Louisiana if you need anything for me; becoming more familiar with C.O.P.S., services provided, payroll deduction do not hesitate to call me.
Jada Breaux, Surviving Co-Worker 2013 Sgt. Frederick 'Rick' Riggenbach, Chitimacha Tribal Police, EOW 1/26/2013

Tanya Johnson Vice President

On May 31, 2016, our world flipped upside down. What started out as a normal day for my Husband and I and our three beautiful daughters, ended in tragedy. On this day I lost, not only my Husband, but my best friend and my three girls lost the best “Girl Dad” that God could have ever blessed them with. In the blink of an eye, our world changed. I was faced with raising three young daughters all alone, Sophia 9 years old, Lila 6 years old and Brileigh 5 years old. I learned just a few short weeks later, I was not all alone. My children had learned of an organization, following the services of my Husband, called Louisiana C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors). On Father’s Day weekend in June of 2016, my girls and I attended our first Louisiana C.O.P.S. event, the Family Retreat at Tall Timbers. Although, a lot of this weekend was a blur for me, it made a huge impact on us. We meet many other families on that weekend who are now our family, Blue Family. Beginning on this weekend, we started rebuilding our shattered lives. The following year my girls and I attended another Family Retreat at Tall Timbers for Father’s Day weekend and then in July of 2017 we attended C.O.P.S. Kids Camp for the first time. During this week at Kids Camp my girls and I were given the opportunity to meet families from all over the United States who had lost a loved one in Law Enforcement. My girls were able to share the hurt they had been feeling with other children who had the same struggles. We left our first Kids Camp with a huge support system that truly understood our lives. Since then, we have attended Kids Camp in 2018 and 2019. My Husband was Honored in May 2018 at National Police Week in Washington, D.C. I quickly learned that this was a week that C.O.P.S. truly honors officers who have fallen In the Line of Duty. Although this was a very overwhelming week, it is a week that my Girls and I will continue to attend.
My Girls and I have grown so much through C.O.P.S. and I know Robert is smiling at this organization who has stepped up to help his girls and changed our life forever. Whether we are attending an event for our Local Chapter or on the National Level, we are definitely provided with a time of compassion and healing. Tanya Johnson, Surviving Spouse 2016 Cpl. Robert C. Johnson, Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, EOW 5/31/2016
I want to thank Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) for everything. Although they did not know my mother, everyone was so supportive. My mother was the most loving, dedicated, stern, hard-working woman I've known. This journey has not been easy. C.O.P.S. has been by my side throughout the entire journey. I know I have gained an angel and an extended family that I will always love. They assisted me in becoming the mother, LEO, friend, and much more because they cared enough about Asst. Warden Peggy Sylvester and her daughter. Remember, it doesn't get easier. You just become stronger, with family. I will always love you momma. Amber Sylvester, Surviving Daughter 2013 Assitant Warden Peggy Sylvester, Opelousas Police Department, EOW 4/14/2013
I first learned of COPS shortly after Brandon was killed in 2012. Although his funeral was a whirlwind of people from all over, I had several individuals from COPS approach me with business cards letting me know to reach out when I was ready.. They would be there to help me and my family through this.It would be a couple of years before I brought Lily to her first COPS Kids Camp in Wisconsin. This was the first of many experiences I had with COPS Hands on Programs. It was humbling, to say the least. We were not alone... there were kids and spouses from all over living this same nightmare.. and here we were, all together, helping our children heal the best we could with broken hearts and lives ourselves. That same year I attended my first Spouse’s Retreat and found my place with many other survivors from all over the country.COPS has been a constant in our lives filled with unknowns. They have helped myself and my children more than I could ever express. An organization that I did not even know existed has saved me in so many ways. Lily has friends from all over the country, as do I. Friends that understand what the challenges are. Friends that love us through them all while helping to provide guidance and support. COPS has been there for us through it all! Daniell Nielsen-Jenkins, Surviving Spouse 2012 Deputy Brandon Nielsen, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, EOW 8/16/2012
September 30, 2011 life as I knew it changed forever when I received that dreaded knock on the door. At that time my life was perfect, a loving husband and devoted dad to our three boys who were 16, 11 and 2 when our lives were shattered. My boys and I attended National Police Week in May 2012 and learned what Concerns of Police Survivors was all about. It was here that we found just how far reaching this blue family would become.In July 2012, I boarded a plane with my then 12 year old to our first C.O.P.S. kid camp. It was at camp that we began to see Hope. My boys and I have attended our retreats each year and have attended every National Police Week since 2012 and the friendships that have been made have helped us to rebuild. The next year, fall of 2013 I attended my first Spouses Retreat and have attended every year since missing only 1. The support and bonds formed at these retreats with other C.O.P.S. survivors has helped me to become the solo parent I needed to be for my boys. Two of my boys are yound adult men and I am certain Paul would be so proud of how they have turned out. Our youngest and I still attend Kids Camp each summer, where we learn to build him memories of his dad.
My greatest wish would be that we never have to welcome another family into this organization. But sadly we know that is not possible so the best thing we can do for a new family when they loose their officer is to introduce them to Concerns of Police Survivors and help them learn to Rebuild Their Shattered Lives. I believe our local chapter is a great asset to our survivors and l look forward to helping our families. Kim Stuckey, Surviving Spouse 2011 Sgt. Paul Stuckey, Louisiana Dept. Wildlife & Fisheries, EOW 9/30/2011
LOUISIANA C.O.P.S. P.O. BOX 41143 BATON ROUGE, LA 70835 cops@la-cops.org
LA-C.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. LA-C.O.P.S. events and services are funded by donations.