On June 3, 2020 the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) will welcome an entourage from Washington State who are traveling the United States in recognition of police officers that were killed in the line-of-duty during 2019. “End Of Watch – Ride to Remember” is sponsored by the non-profit organization, “Beyond the Call of Duty”. Although, Oregon did not have any line-of-duty deaths in 2019, the traveling group will visit the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy. The projected time of this visit is 9:00 am.
The group consists of six motorcycle riders and a truck and trailer exhibiting a traveling memorial to these 146 officers. “End of Watch” will visit all 146 cities across 35 states wherein officers died in the line of duty during 2019. The goal of their organization is to step in and assist families of fallen officers after the initial financial and emotional support has faded.
The founder of this organization is JC Shah, Co-owner of Phoenix Protective Corporation located in Spokane, WA. Mr. Shah and his wife Sheila Leslie have been active in charity/non-profit work for years, particularly efforts that assist law enforcement agencies/officers. Mr. Shah was a police officer prior to starting his company and remained in a reserve police officer status for many years.
As they approach retirement, JC and Sheila want to give back to their communities in a meaningful way. They have decided to do this by honoring fallen police officers (eventually expanding to all first responders). The goal of their organization is to step in to assist families of fallen officers after the initial financial and emotional support has faded. For example, they will assist if there is a need for financial assistance for educational, therapeutic or medical expenses for the children of fallen officers.
For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial please visit: http://www.oregon.gov/DPSST/AT/pages/olememorial.aspx