The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on August 2 announced Officers Chad Rossow and Charles Cobble of the Warren Police Department (Michigan) as the Officers of the Month for June 2023. Both officers’ exceptional response during a welfare check of a juvenile male helped avoid a potential tragedy.

In an incident that unfolded with rapid urgency and concern, Officers Rossow and Cobble responded promptly to a 9-1-1 call of a report of a juvenile male with a handgun pointed at his head near a closed business. The caller expressed genuine concern for the juvenile’s safety due to his alarming actions. Upon arrival at the scene, Officer Rossow immediately took control of the situation and approached the 17-year-old male, who was visibly distressed and crying, holding the loaded handgun to his head and expressing a desire to end his life. With courage and empathy, Officer Rossow effectively communicated with the young individual in an attempt to de-escalate the highly sensitive and dangerous circumstances. Officer Rossow, in a matter of mere minutes, succeeded in persuading the individual to relinquish the firearm, defusing the immediate threat to his life. With the handgun safely dropped, Officer Cobble joined in to provide additional support. In a commendable display of restraint and compassion, Officer Cobble securely handled the emotional juvenile without resorting to the use of force, prioritizing the young man’s well-being above all else.

“The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund commends Officers Rossow and Cobble for their exceptional bravery, professionalism and dedication to protecting and serving the community,” NLEOMF Executive Director Bill Alexander said. “Their exemplary handling of this situation serves as a testament to the vital role law enforcement officers play in safeguarding lives and preserving the well-being of those they serve.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all the 24,067 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

Since 2014, the National Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Flower Fund has sent a floral arrangement to the funeral services of every officer who has been killed in the line of duty. This initiative, which has served as the cornerstone of the charity, has sent more than 2,000 arrangements on behalf of its members, costing over $500,000.

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