April 28, 2009 - In honor of National Police Week (May 10 - 16, 2009) the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) brings its message of the importance of workplace safety for police, fire, and EMS workers to the American public. The JPMF raises awareness about building and traffic safety issues through public service announcements, educational initiatives and community partnerships.
The JPMF was set-up after Constable John Petropoulos of the Calgary Police Service passed away in the line of duty while investigating a break & enter complaint at a warehouse on Sept. 29, 2000. He died from brain injuries sustained after falling through a false ceiling, as there was no safety railing to warn him of the danger. The Memorial Fund raises public awareness that workplace safety for police, fire and EMS workers is a shared responsibility, and delivers the message that when communities work together, many risks to these workers can be minimized.
"Police are out there every day, paying the ultimate price and dealing with the worst that society has to offer," says Maryanne Pope - Constable Petropoulos' widow, and spokesperson for the Fund. "At this time of year, we ask everyone to pay their respects to police officers in the U.S. and elsewhere for their commitment to keeping the world a safe and better place."
Pope's recently released book, A WIDOW'S AWAKENING, recounts her experience in coming to terms with John's death. Twenty-percent of the proceeds from the book (available through www.jpmf.ca and through Amazon) go to the JPMF. "I share my story because it sheds light on the immense personal loss associated with the on-duty death of a police officer."
"As emergency workers," says Staff Sergeant Darren Leggatt of the Calgary Police Service, "we are tasked with protecting our community in environments that are never predictable, always volatile, and often beyond our control. John's death and Maryanne's life bring to the forefront the issue of workplace safety." Leggatt was working with Petropoulos the night he died.
As National Police Week underscores the importance of the work being done by members of America's law-enforcement community, the JPMF's message could not come at a better time. The recent shooting deaths of four police officers in Oakland, and three police officers in Pittsburgh, reinforces the ultimate sacrifice officers make in protecting the public.
For more information on the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund, including information about partnerships and educational opportunities, visit www.jpmf.ca.
About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund
Constable John Petropoulos, a police officer with the Calgary Police Service in Canada, passed away on September 29, 2000 at the age of 32. John passed away in the line of duty while investigating a break & enter complaint. He died from brain injuries sustained after falling through a false ceiling, as there was no safety railing to warn him of the danger.
After his death, several of John's recruit classmates set up the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) and raised monies through the sale of memorial pins to fellow officers. Subsequent pin sales, grants and ongoing donations continue to sustain the Fund.
The JPMF creates partnerships which strive to eliminate preventable workplace fatalities and injuries to emergency services personnel. In the spirit of John's dedication to helping make his community a safer place, the JPMF promotes the message to the public that workplace safety for emergency services workers is a shared responsibility. When communities work together, many risks to these workers can be minimized. Go to www.jpmf.ca for more information.
About Maryanne Pope
Maryanne was married to Const. John Petropoulos and is the Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund, an organization committed to educating the public that workplace safety for emergency services personnel is a shared responsibility. She is the author of the creative non-fiction book, A WIDOW'S AWAKENING. She is also an award-winning playwright and filmmaker, as well as an environmental educator and motivational speaker. Maryanne is the founder & CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions Inc. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Go to www.pinkgazelle.com for more info.
About A WIDOW'S AWAKENING
Eight years in the making, this extraordinary and true story of soul mates, saints, saviors, suicide and safety in the workplace charts a young woman's emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual journey through the first year of grief after the on-duty death of her husband, a police officer. A WIDOW'S AWAKENING is a heart-wrenching, humorous and honest portrayal of the excruciating process of accepting the unacceptable. Twenty-percent of the book proceeds go to the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. "This compelling account of personal tragedy and its aftermath is told with brutal honesty and a sense of humor uniquely her own. The dangers and consequences of policing, its effect on family, friends and comrades, as well as the author's determination to improve workplace safety in memory of her husband, results in a fascinating and thought provoking book." - Chief Rick Hanson, Calgary Police Service
Media Contact:
Tracy Stewart, Publicist
Ph: 647-262-0173
Email: tracy.stewart@pulpinc.ca
www.pulpinc.ca
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