Page 23 - FOP BlueNote 2017 May June Issue WEST FINAL

The Forgotten Ones… Lodge and the Fraternal Order of Police the same way I
represented my Department with Respect, Professional-
Cont’d from P. 21 ism and Integrity. One of my most memorable experi-
ences was representing all Disabled Officers at the Na-
afraid to speak my mind to the command staff. But noth- tional Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washing-
ing I could say was going to change the inevitable. ton, DC and being able to place a carnation on the
wreath.
Eleven months after I was injured, on August 01,
2006, I retired. One of the hardest things I have ever Understand that a career-ending injury does not mean
done was taking all of my equipment back to the Depart- you have to leave law enforcement. There are things you
ment and turning it in. After it was all said and done, I can do to fight the depression and your frustration with
was a “civilian” again. In my eyes I was just employee being a “civilian” again. Surround yourself with your
number 1945, a number that could be scribbled out and true friends who will keep you up to date with what is
replaced. I then began the process of fighting for Work- going on inside of the department. Join a fraternal group
ers Compensation and the Department of Justice for my like the Fraternal Order of Police. Do things to help your
Public Safety Officers Death and Disability Benefit, but fellow officers. Go to National Police Week in Wash-
that is another article for another time. ington, DC – you can still show your respect for your
brother and sisters who have fallen. Most of all, find a
Before my injury our local Fraternal Order of Police hobby that makes you happy. Exercise, hunt, and fish. It
Lodge had begun to grow again since my good friend keeps your mind clear.
Ricky Parks had taken over as President. I told him that
I would definitely be joining. It was kind of ironic be- A life-altering injury does not just happen to you, it
cause I had the application in my patrol car the day I was happens to everyone around you. Life will never be the
shot and had been in the process of filling it out. So while same, but whole new chapters will be open to you if you
in the hospital I joined our local FOP Lodge and it was are open to them.
one of the best decisions I ever made.

A year after I joined Rocky Mount Lodge 46, I
pledged that I would do my very best to represent our

Grand Lodge News
By Dennis McCrary – NC National Trustee

On March 31 and April 1 the have had at almost all conferences The National Conference should

Grand Lodge FOP Board of Direc- except Philadelphia. No one ex- have at least two significant races for

tors meeting was held in Peoria, Illi- pected the request for rooms to really future leaders of our Grand Lodge.

nois. I wanted to take this oppor- exceed this number but it has and Roger Mayberry will not run for

tunity to share some of the more sig- members are staying in at least 5 reelection to the Office of Sergeant at

nificant items which were discussed. other hotels. Many lodges were very Arms, but will be running against

The most continuous topic at the upset that they could not get into the Secretary Pat Yoes for the Office of

board meeting was the assignment of Opryland hotel. The Tennessee State Secretary. This will prove to be a

rooms at the National Conference to Lodge numbered each request for very hotly contested race and shape

be held in Nashville at the end of Au- rooms as they were submitted and as- the future of our organization for

gust. Statements had been made by signed rooms at Opryland until it was years to come. Since Roger is not

Tennessee FOP leaders at several full. A special thank you to Past Pres- running for his current office, we

conferences that the entire FOP dele- ident Don Penix who quickly com- have two candidates who have an-

gation should be in the Opryland Ho- pleted the application and worked nounced they are running for Ser-

tel for this National Conference. The with Tennessee FOP leaders to make geant at Arms. These Brothers are

hotel has 2800 rooms that are availa- certain we had 75 rooms at the Opr- Kevin Ahlbrand of Missouri and

ble for the conference and is greater yland Hotel as soon as they were re- Keith Turney of Illinois. There may

than the number of delegates we leased. Great job Don!! Continued on P. 25

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