On Saturday, May 13, 2017, Whiteside County Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi (below), Deputies, and staff, and Morrison Police Chief Brian Melton washed vehicles during a fundraiser, at Super Wash, Inc., 707 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The event raised $1250 for C.O.P.S.
For several years, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies have teamed with the local Illinois C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) Chapter, to help raise money for the C.O.P.S. Foundation. In 2016, there were 144 Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line-of-duty. That averages to an Officer death every 2.5 days. So, what happens to support their families and co-workers? That is where C.O.P.S. comes into play, along with providing training for agencies.
Often a deeper story lies behind a familiar fundraiser event.
The Washington Times reported, “Philadelphia police yesterday[, Thursday, June 14, 2001,] said they arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of a D. C. Metro Transit Police Officer this week, and recovered the slain officer’s firearm from a car the man was driving. Homicide detectives ‘have a suspect they’re questioning in reference to the shooting that occurred’ in the District on Sunday night, [June 10]…. A fare evader shot Metro Transit Police Officer Marlon Francisco Morales in the back of the head on Sunday night, at the Green Line U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station. The killer took the officer’s gun and ammo clips and has been on the run since. Officer Morales died from his injuries early Wednesday[, June 13]. A reward for information leading to the killer’s arrest and indictment rose to more than $128,000 [by the next day].”
Morales was a 32-year-old husband and father. When the new Metro Transit Police Station opened in Washington, D. C., it was named to commemorate fallen officer Marlon Francisco Morales. This bronze plaque was installed at the front door.
Facilitators of the successful event included, left-to-right, Marlon Morales’s widow, Jennifer Morales, and their daughter, Meghan; Deputy Sergeant Kris Schmidt and one of his three daughters, Gracyn; Sheriff Kelly Willhelmi; Dispatcher Vicky Stoeker; Deputy Sean Coutts; Madelyn Hackbarth; Deputy Jim Melton; Jaicee Schmidt. Morrison Police Chief Brian Melton “assisted on scene” earlier in the morning.
The public is urged to support a second event during Law Enforcement Memorial Week, on Wednesday, May 17. Sheriff Wilhelmi and Deputies will serve food at Culver’s, 1901 Harley Davidson Drive, Rock Falls, IL, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Ten percent of sales goes towards C.O.P.S. Additionally, Culver’s will be receiving the “C.O.P.S. Eternal Flame Award” for their continued support.
