State FOP Auxiliary Raising Money To Send Families To DC For National Police Week

The State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Auxiliary is doing everything it can to send families of fallen officers to Washington, D.C. for National Police Week.

The names of eight Oklahoma officers who died in the line of duty will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial during this year's annual National Police Week.

FOP Auxiliary State President Amanda Foyil said some of the deaths were COVID-related, and others involved injuries or other health-related issues from the job.

Beginning the week of May 11th, there will be a ceremonial candlelight vigil and sessions for children, spouses and coworkers to help them with healing.

Foyil said 'Concerns of Police Survivors' pays for the family's hotel room but is hoping to raise additional funds for extra hotel rooms, airfare, and food.

Foyil said the job costs these officers their lives and believes this is the least our community can do.

"The section in the center is all white chairs and that's for only survivors, (and) so every time we do any type of work going into police week, we always say it's all about the white chairs. And you'll see people at D.C. They don't care if it's raining. If it's freezing. If it's 90 degrees outside. They don't care because they know it's all about the white chairs," Foyil said.

Coming up on News On 6 at 9 and 10 p.m., Ashlyn Brothers speaks with a widow and a family friend of fallen officers about the significance of the trip.