Serving Western New York State Counties of Chemung, Livingston,
Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates
SITE LINKS:
GENESEE VALLEY
C.O.P.S.
Concerns of Police Survivors
"Our Fallen Officers Never Forgotten"
Ellen Guerdat: President
Ellen is a Victim Assistance Counselor for the Gates Police Department in Gates, NY, a suburb of Rochester. Ellen in the past volunteered for the Rochester Police Department as well as worked three years with the RPD as a Victim Assistance Counselor. Ellen had responded many times to the hospital for critically injured Officers as well as Officers who had dies suddenly off duty. Ellen became a coworker survivor in January of 2006, when RPD Officer Tom Clark died in the Line of Duty.
Carl Rath: Vice President
Carl is a surviving brother of Chesterfield County, Virginia police officer Craig William Rath, who died in the line of duty in a fatal a car accident while en-route to a drug related arrest on May 27, 1999. Carl works as a Project Manager for a local Electrical Construction Firm and is a native of Hamlin, New York where he lives with his wife, Christine and daughter, Jennifer. His interests include, spending time with his family, hunting, and golf. Carl also participates in other venues which honors our fallen officers, their surviving families and helps in aiding/supporting injured officers in the community.
Larry Crawford: Secretary
52 years old father of three, retired in 2004 from Monroe County Sheriff's Office after 26 years of service working the jail as deputy. Larry lost his wife in 1995 from an on the job injury. She also worked for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in the jail as corporal.
Lt James (Jim) VanBrederode: Treasurer
Policeman for 24 years, and has been involved with C.O.P.S. since 1998, Patrol Commander at Gates PD, Pipe Major with the Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes and Drums Band, Graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 235. Masters degree in Public Administration from S.U.N.Y. Brockport
Bernie Feldmann: Police Liaison
NY State Police Investigator - 26 years w/agency. Currently serving as
the Western Regional Coordinator for NYSP E.A.P. covering western 12 counties
- assisting officers with LODD, CISM, addiction issues, suicidal ideology, relationship/marital issues or any other personal stressor
Married (25 yrs); father of 5 children
My lessons in survivorship started in the academy as we learned our classmate's brother, also a Trooper, was struck and killed while patrolling the NYS Thruway near Albany. Since the time of my swearing in, 22 "brothers" died in the line of duty and service to the state of New York. Twenty-two in 26 years. That precludes the tragedies befallen by other agencies we work with and know. Too many heroes died too soon.
Don Parker: Webmaster
Don is a 32 year Police veteran and currently a Wyoming County Deputy Sheriff, He is also the Past President and current Secretary/Webmaster for Blue Knights NY IV . The Blue Knights have hosted this site since it's beginning and Don volunteers his time and funds to insure that we have a private domain name and an up-to-date website.
CHAPTER OFFICERS
