If you read the July BlueSheepdog Newsletter, you saw an article I wrote about Line of Duty Death Forms. In the correspondence I received about the article, I encountered a unique source of information about the arrangements for LODD funerals.
Planning for the Unthinkable: A Law Enforcement Funeral Planning Guide is a book written in 2010 by Los Angeles Police Department Sgt.II John C. Cooley (ret.) and Donna Wade. Cooley was the LAPD Funeral Coordinator for over ten years. Wade was a reserve officer specialist on his staff.
The book outlines every conceivable contingency for line of duty and active officer funerals, from preparations, notifications, motorcades, and graveside protocols to multiple officer deaths, female officer deaths, and special religious considerations.
At 292 pages, I found the book to be exceptionally in-depth. This unfortunately comes from the real life experiences of the authors in arranging actual police funerals. This information is so important, the authors have arranged a discount for BlueSheepdog readers.
In the introduction, the authors write, “We wrote this guide to offer law enforcement agencies the tools and resources necessary to formulate a comprehensive funeral protocol before the need arises.
When tragedy strikes, the plan can be efficiently executed, even through the fog of grief, anger and confusion, because those implementing it will have prepared for their roles long in advance, when clearer minds prevailed.”
Sgt. Cooley is a Certified Bereavement Counselor. He gives free workshops anywhere in the Country, with an agency(s) covering just his travel, lodging, and food. Departments can split the costs for a seminar.
Sgt. Cooley and Ms. Wade strive to be a resource “24/7/365” for consultations in the event an agency experiences a line of duty death.
Planning for the Unthinkable is available as an ebook or a DVD. The DVD contains the ebook, videos of funerals, customizable Word Documents of 17 specific funeral checklists, bereavement books mentioned in the book, and free updates. I thought the checklists alone were a great resource.
The ebook sells for $197.00. The DVD is available for $225.00. The authors have graciously granted Blue Crew members a discount of $100.00 off of either format. (Not a member? Sign up today – this book discount alone pays for the membership!)
In reading the ebook material, I was saddened that these events could be delineated with such precision but I knew that the details were born of necessity, duty and honor. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
I had several interesting email exchanges with Ms. Wade and I found her to be very knowledgeable and committed to helping the law enforcement community. She feels the book can be especially helpful to small to mid-sized agencies that do not have a funeral coordinator or established protocols.
In one of the emails, she wrote, “Our aim is to make sure (departments) know how to plan and execute the most meaningful memorial possible, not only for the surviving family, but for the police family and community as well.”
Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.