Colonie’s emergency responders nabbed yet another accolade this month, this time on the county level.
In November, Colonie was named the safest municipality in the U.S. with a population of at least 75,000 people, and earlier this month the Emergency Medical Service was one of two places in the country to receive an award from International Association of Fire Chiefs.
On Tuesday, May 11, the Albany County District Attorney’s office named the Colonie Police Department the Agency of the Year at a 5K run and fundraiser for the for the Concerns of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S., organization.
It’s a great recognition for a lot of great people, said Colonie Police Department Chief Steve Heider.
Heider said the Police department works with a number of municipal agencies as well as the Albany County District Attorney’s office and Colonie is lucky to be in such a strong county for law enforcement.
`We truly do believe we are a coalition,` he said. `We are blessed in the Capital District.`
Albany County District Attorney David Soares spoke highly of Colonie police, as well as the Albany Police Department’s criminal investigations unit, which was also honored at the fundraiser.
`Police Officers are often the unsung heroes of our daily lives. They are on the job 24-hours, seven days a week protecting us as we sleep, work and play. I am committed to protecting those who put their lives on the line to protect us every day, said Soares in a statement.
Soares said the work of C.O.P.S, which helps families of police officers lost in the line of duty, is also noteworthy.
`To honor those who serve, we must never forget the families of police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I have collaborated with Concerns of Police Survivors to help raise money for the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.`
Heider said C.O.P.S. is a great organization and he was glad to help raise money for it, as it provides a valuable service for families struggling with loss.
`We are all part of it,` he said.
It is unfortunate when C.O.P.S. services are needed, he said, but it is nice to know they are there for law enforcement agencies to take advantage.
The 5K was the second of its kind and started and finished at the Police Officers Memorial near the Empire State Plaza Officers Memorial Located near the Empire State Plaza
`Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the tragic loss. C.O.P.S. provides resources to help them rebuild their shattered lives. There is no membership fee to join C.O.P.S., for the price paid is already too high,` according to information from the organization’s Web site.
Organized in 1984, there a now 15,000 families who are affiliated with the group. Its members are the spouses, children, significant others, co-workers and siblings of the fallen officers and is governed by a national board of survivors.
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