Issue 04 | January 2024

THEIR DUTY WAS TO SERVE.

OUR DUTY IS TO REMEMBER.®

In This Issue

Upcoming Survivor Events
Past Survivor Events
Congratulations & Celebrations!
"Name This Newsletter!" Poll
Other News & Surveys

Name this Newsletter!

Thank you to everyone that voted in our last “Name This Newsletter” poll!

The names that got the most votes are listed below.

Click your choice to vote for the one you like best!

The Foundation Family Dispatch

The Family Backup

The Survivor Tribune

THEIR DUTY WAS TO SERVE.

OUR DUTY IS TO REMEMBER.®

A Message from Meg

New Year!

Did you notice that omission? I imagine many of you did, as I purposely chose to not start the new year’s greeting with its traditional adjective. I mean, who dictates if it’s going to be a ‘happy’ year, anyway? I think it’s safe to say here that the year our loved ones were taken from us was decidedly not a happy one. Will this year, 2024, be a happy one? It is my deep and sincere wish for each and every one of you that it is, at least, happier than at least one previous year – perhaps many previous years.

As I reflect on 2023 and look into 2024, I see plentiful evidence of happy times throughout the year. There was laughter, healing, connection and yes, even joy. I see new life in the gifts of babies born to our surviving families. I see beautiful friendships in the connections made between surviving parents who can feel the depth of one another’s pain, but can equally appreciate the infinite love for the children they raised to be striking pillars of all that is good and right with this world. I see the most precious friendships forming between littles who share the experience of growing up knowing the other’s loss – and understanding it without having to explain it. I don’t just see – but can truly feel the love, understanding, compassion and support that flows so freely amongst our families and friends when we come together for events, coffee, hikes and even online chats.

It has been a true blessing to have walked with you this year – and will be an equal blessing to continue alongside you in the years to come. I will leave you (for now) with a quote that resonates with me as I consider my own path since losing my beloved Brian so many years ago – I can’t believe it will be 25 this July! I have dictated my own ‘happy new year’ for many years now, living by this: “For some, healing is when you can remember those who have died with more love than pain, when you find a way to create meaning in your own life in a way that will honor theirs.”

May 2024 bring you more love than pain, and may you find ways to create meaning from your loss. Be well my friends, take care of yourselves, and each other.

Warmest regards (and love you heaps!)

Meg

(Fiancé - Brian DiBucci - EOW 7/15/1999)

National Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) – Hands On Programs

National C.O.P.S. provides approximately twelve hands-on programs that give participants the opportunity to grieve and work through the emotions and memories related to their loss. These programs are geared towards specific relationships such as spouses, adult children, kids, siblings, etc. Survivors have shared the positive impact that these programs had on their grief journey. If you are interested, have any questions or are experiencing any barriers to attending, please contact Meg or email us at survivor@behindthebadgefoundation.org.

GriefShare –

Local Support Groups

GriefShare hosts free and paid support groups and events across Washington and other states that provide guidance and companionship for healing your grief. You can also access free resources on their website such as videos and articles and sign up for daily encouraging emails. If you are interested in any of their paid resources but need financial assistance, please contact Meg or email us at survivor@behindthebadgefoundation.org.

Join us for these upcoming events!

Virtual Gatherings

March 12, 2024 | May 23, 2024 | July 18, 2024

September 17, 2024 | November 13, 2024

Come connect with other survivors around the state from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM! Join the meeting here.

Friday, February 9, 2024

A Puck-tastic Time on the East Side

Enjoy the Tri-City Americans vs. the Spokane Chiefs at Spokane Arena! Limited tickets available. RSVP for hockey now.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Brunch on the East Side

If you're not interested in hockey but still want to connect (or you want to do both!), you can RSVP for brunch in Spokane! RSVP for brunch here.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Shoot n' Let Loose

Ladies, this one’s for you! Join fellow BtBF gals at Securité Gun Club in Woodinville for shooting, prizes, and refreshments. RSVP here by February 9th!

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Ball & Auction

Grab your dress, tux, or other formal wear and join us for the 26th Annual Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Ball and Auction! If you’re going to register, notify Meg, especially if you have never attended the event.

Coming Soon!

Down for Shootin' Rounds - Teens and Young Adults Securité Gun

Club Event - Date To Be Determined

Washington State Peace Officers Memorial – Medal of Honor

Ceremony – May 3, 2024

Spokane Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony - May 7, 2024

Events of National Police Week, Washington DC – May 11 to 17, 2024

You can now register for 2024 National Police Week on the National C.O.P.S website! If you have any questions or need support, you can reach out to Meg or email us at survivor@behindthebadgefoundation.org

Happy, Happy Birthdays!

Paula Cortez - December 15th

(Mother - Charlie Cortez - EOW 11/17/2020)

Paula shared her birthday magic with loved ones this year! Her love for her family and taking care of those around her made them so grateful to celebrate another birthday with her!

Richard "Moochie" Grenier-Cortez - December 26th

(Brother - Charlie Cortez -

EOW 11/17/2020)

Moochie celebrated his birthday with lots of joy and laughter! His enthusiasm for life and good natured spirit are such a gift to all those who meet him!

Finley Haywood - December 27th

(Granddaughter - Jaymes "Jay" Hughes - EOW 1/6/2021)

Sweet Finley turned one year old and her mom and dad cannot believe how fast it has gone! Finley's smiles light up everyday and make all things okay - she amazes them every single day!

Pepper Thompson - December 31st

(Daughter - Ryan Shane Thompson -

EOW 3/19/2019)

Pepper ended the year pretty in pink with sparks and a smile while turning eight this year! Her strength, warmth and spunk never cease to enrich the lives of those around her!

Lennox Jackson - January 2nd

(Daughter - Jordan Jackson -

EOW 11/21/2022)

Birthday Queen Lennox turned four with treats and lots of color! Her energy and big heart make each day filled with glee and adventure!

Welcome to the BtBF Family!

Jameson William Schaffer

(Nephew - Justin R. Schaffer -

EOW 3/24/2020)

Baby Jameson William Schaffer was born 7 lbs and 7 oz on December 15, 2023. Brandon and Sam are first time parents who are "elated by his arrival". No doubt there will be much laughter and silliness with these two.

Amelia Elisabeth DaCunha

(Granddaughter - Donald L. "Don" Sahota - EOW 1/29/2022)

Baby Amelia Elisabeth DaCunha was born 6 lbs 1 oz on December 22, 2023 as an early Christmas gift. Amelia's family was so happy that Uncle Colton was home from college at the perfect time to be there for baby’s birthday because Amelia was 2 weeks early!

Check out these BtBF Superstars!

Peyton Moreno

(Daughter - Diego Moreno - EOW 7/22/2018)

Peyton won Grand Champion in Rabbit Fitting and Showing at the Washington State Fair! Her family was so proud to share that she “worked her ass off!". We’re so happy to see that all that hard work paid off! Congratulations Peyton!

Savanah Schnoor

(Stepdaughter - Tony Radulescu - EOW 2/23/2012)

Savanah's family is so proud to share that she graduated from the US Marine Corps September 1, 2021 as a PF2. Initially stationed in San Diego, Savanah was deployed to Okinawa, Japan on November 16th which also happens to be her 20th birthday. We are so proud of Savanah that she is serving her country as Tony did. Congrats Savanah!! ohh-raa

The Calata Family with Dom's floral portrait for the One Legacy Rose Parade float.

Dominic Calata

(EOW 3/16/2022)

Dom's family was proud to share that "this year, Dom was nominated by LifeCenter Northwest, our local organ donor organization, to be honored at the Pasadena Rose Parade. Dom saved four lives last March with his gift of organ donation. We had the opportunity to help finish Dom’s floral portrait placed on the One Legacy Rose Parade float. We are so grateful to get to travel to Pasadena to be a part of the Rose Festival and see the float up close."

Have something you wanna celebrate? Submit your celebrations here!

Meet Our LoDDRT

One of the core and privileged responsibilities of Behind the Badge Foundation is responding to assist an agency in need after the death of one of their own. As you are too painfully aware, it is the Foundation’s Line of Duty Death Response Team (LoDDRT) that heeds this call. Made up of deeply dedicated and selfless individuals, we work diligently yet quietly behind the scenes at the family’s direction and with the agency’s support to ensure a loved one is afforded a memorial service fitting of their service and sacrifice.

For those of you who also receive the BtBF Insider Newsletter, you will see a similar piece about each of these team members – but for this newsletter, we have provided team members with an opportunity to speak directly to you, our surviving families, if there is anything they would like to share – so make sure to look here for special messages from the men and women of BtBF.

Information about the history and workings of the LoDDRT can be found on our website, but we are delighted to begin to introduce members to you here in the Survivor newsletter. Some may be familiar faces to you, and others will not – but know that each of them has been intimately involved in ensuring every memorial service was a beautiful and meaningful experience for everyone who knew and loved your officer.

“I came to the Foundation in the early days of the planning of building the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial and to the LoDDRT through a learned musical ability and honor guard position. Today I (hopefully humbly) serve as the Team Leader and primary liaison to the affected agency. I still play the bagpipes from time to time, and I enjoy being outdoors, on a bicycle, in a river with a fly pole or hiking up a mountain trail. I am a proud father of 2 lovely adult daughters and grandfather to 3 baby girls.

We hope you enjoy meeting our team members. They are truly the most dedicated, cohesive and caring group of individuals I know.”

Brian Johnston

Executive Director, BtBF

Retired Sergeant, Monroe Police Department

We made so many memories together in 2023! We're looking

forward to many more in 2024!

Wreath Laying Ceremony

ANOTHER December to Remember

Some of our WA State families were selected to attend the Snowball Express through the Gary Sinise Foundation this year. We are so grateful that they were able to have this opportunity. They had a blast! Our families appreciated that the Gary Sinise team made "it truly a magical experience", Tawyna Stout (Former Spouse - Charlie Cortez - EOW 11/17/2020). The chance to "enjoy all of the magic while having the opportunity to connect with other families was truly special", Katie DeRosier (Wife - Justin R. DeRosier - EOW 4/14/2019). Thank you to the Gary Sinise Foundation for making the Snowball Express an amazing and incredibly impactful experience for our families!

Starting the new year can be a tough time. Here are some tips from Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, a grief expert, that may help!

1) Check your local community calendar and sign up for a class in something you have never tried before.

2) Today, talk to someone else who loved the person who died. Share your thoughts and feelings openly and encourage the same. Support each other in your grief.

3) Say no to something today. Allow yourself not to feel guilty about it.

4) Rent a comedic film tonight, pop popcorn and share the evening with a good friend. As a therapist I can highly recommend What About Bob? for a good laugh.

*Each tip is a direct quote from the book "Healing Your Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas" by Dr. Wolfelt

On Facebook?

Would you like to connect with fellow Survivors in a private online space? Please reach out to any of the contacts listed in the “Contact Us” section, and we will send a request your way for our Survivor Only Facebook group.

Update your Info!

Did you move? Change your phone number? Perhaps we don't have your birthday on file? Fill out the Contact Info Update form here!

Meg DiBucci

425-327-6918

Meg@BehindtheBadgeFoundation.org

BtBF Office

425-747-7523

Survivor@BehindtheBadgeFoundation.org

8309 165th Ave NE

Suite 205

Redmond, WA 98052

In the Works

Peer to Peer Survivor Support | Court Support | Survivor Events | Grief Training... and more!

*Throughout each issue of our newsletter, when you see a Survivor’s name, you will also see parenthesis indicating their relationship to a fallen officer and the officer’s End of Watch (EOW) date. We hope by doing this, we can not only bring continued attention and love for our officers, but provide one more way to connect with one another.

THEIR DUTY WAS TO SERVE. OUR DUTY IS TO REMEMBER.®

*In respecting the privacy of all those we serve in the survivor community our Survivor Only newsletter, an exclusive publication of Behind the Badge Foundation, is intended for Survivors of Line of Duty, Suicide or Law Enforcement related death. In it, there will be information such as dates and locations of events, and names and photos of survivors. While each person that contributes content to the newsletter will understand the limitations of controlling this information once it is shared, we do implore each of you to respect the intent of this publication and not share it in part or whole outside of its intended audience.