The shooting death several weeks ago of Glendale Police Officer Brad Jones marked the sixth time an Arizona police officer has made the ultimate sacrifice since January 2010.
Jones, 26, an officer for four years, died after being shot while assisting a probation officer with a call. He left behind a wife and two children.
For the cop on the beat, state trooper patrolling the highways, a deputy sheriff roaming back roads or a corrections officer working the cell block, law enforcement is dangerous. Officers routinely pay for our safety with their lives and the futures of their families.
Two weeks before Jones' murder, local media reported how the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Memorial Fund had come to the financial assistance of medically retired deputy sheriff David Wargo, who was run over and paralyzed while making an arrest. His wife had to give up her career - and paycheck - to care for him and their three children.
The memorial fund has given both the Jones and Wargo families $25,000. Wargo's wife called the money a "godsend."
Sadly, godsends are what the families of fallen and disabled officers in Arizona need to survive.
Widows of fallen officers only receive 50 percent of their spouses' pension. Disabled officers also receive 50 percent of their pension.
Many officers and their survivors aren't eligible for Social Security benefits because their employers don't participate in the program.
According to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, the average officer's salary, with four years of service like Jones had, is $50,193. An officer's widow could expect $25,000 a year. The basic health insurance policy available to widows and the disabled costs almost $14,000 per year, plus extra charges for eye care and dental coverage. Costs are up nearly $200 a month from last year.
And as insurance costs went up, the Arizona Legislature cut the benefits provided to survivors and the disabled.
After 2012, widows, orphans and the disabled more than likely won't see any increases in their benefits for years to come, thanks to last year's rushed legislative action. In recent years, the increases for this small group have averaged around $100 a month. These increases have been in place for 40 years.
This drastic legislation was pushed through the Legislature by former House Speaker Kirk Adams after news stories targeted the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) for reform following reported problems with the system, problems that allowed double-dippers like Maricopa County Sheriff's Office ex-Chief Deputy David Hendershott and former Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris, Tempe's triple-dipper police chief Tom Ryff, and other law enforcement executives to get multiple pension benefits, $100,000 payouts from the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), and additional health care benefits.
Adams, a self-professed reformer, resigned from the Legislature after his signature legislation was passed, and announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress.
Adams also wrote the legislation that gave more than $1 million to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu to purchase a helicopter. That same amount would've covered the cost of increases to widows, orphans and disabled for at least a year.
ABC15 is now reporting the former pension fund manager, who retired in 2004, has had his $18,000-a-month pension suspended following questions about "inflating his own pension" to collect funds he wasn't entitled to. The state Legislature has fiduciary oversight of the multi-billion dollar pension fund and the fund manager's benefits.
It was the Legislature that authorized these "golden parachute"-like benefits for a handful of public employees.
It was also the Legislature that took away benefits from the neediest and most deserving. The Legislature needs to fix what it broke.
When officers lose their lives or become disabled while serving us, it's our duty to take care of them and their families.
There needs to be a "godsend" from the Legislature to those whose lives have been shattered and broken while protecting and serving Arizona.
Rich posted at 3:08 pm on Thu, Nov 17, 2011.
Four years of service over 50K? No wonder we can't afford to pay widows and orphans, that is an obscene salary for only four years on the job. And Mr. Richardson, while policeman of all types can make the front page in death, the statistical fact is that it is a rather safe profession, the stress of being a CPA kills more, younger, that is, however, a statistic before it makes the papers. Stalin said: "The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." To use that trick of the human psyche is somewhat intellectually dishonest.
IceCat posted at 7:59 pm on Thu, Nov 17, 2011.
Bill, the one area that I can agree with you on this subject is the health insurance. The employee's city/county/state should pick up the health insurance tab on the family until the children are 26.
To be fair; you failed to mention the other benefits the family of the deceased receives;
$323,035 from the feds, $15,000 from the 100 Club, workers compensation, tuition wavier for the children at NAU, ASU or UA, and finally a law enforcement officer should carry $1m in term life insurance. You also forgot the pension benefit is tax free.
Now the ones that need real assistance are the seriously injured disabled officers. To provide this, would require action by the State Legislature which isn't going to happen.
KJDaVinci777 posted at 12:38 am on Fri, Nov 18, 2011.
Bill, Comments by " Rich" reflects the ignorant part of society and reflects a clueless mentality, similar to the White House environment. With Pearce out of the way, is there a chance somthing can be done for the future of the fallen officers families? I do not have faith in your GED Gov. doing anything to help law enforcement. She is to busy with Greta(Fox News) and her book ...
Dale Whiting posted at 5:12 am on Fri, Nov 18, 2011.
Bill,
How about treating police officers like we treat the members of the military who are injured or killed in combat? Are there any meaningfull distinctions?
billrichardson posted at 6:23 am on Fri, Nov 18, 2011.
Dale,
We need to treat injured service members and public employees the same way Gabby Giffords is being treated. There needs to be one set of rules for those who commit to government service, especially those who put themselves and their family's futures at risk in order to serve the public.
In researching this column I talked to injured/disable police officers, injured/disabled combat vets and widows of fallen officers. No one gets the Giffrods treatment.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 3:22 pm on Fri, Nov 18, 2011.
"Adams also wrote the legislation that gave more than $1Million to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu to purchase a helicopter. That same amount would've covered the cost of increases to widows, orphans and disabled for atleast a year".
WHEN WILL THIS VENDETTA AGAINST PINAL COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL BABEU ..EVER = .END ???
Did Speaker Adams personally go over to the Bank , write out a "withdrawl slip" on the Arizona Public Safety Widows, Orphans and Disabled Account.....and then stuff $1Million dollars in a suitcase and drag it along I-10 to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office Building and dump the money on Sheriff Paul Babeu's desk = GIVE US A BREAK. Try being a "master" human being for a change and ......MOVE ON.
Peabody posted at 7:18 pm on Fri, Nov 18, 2011.
Police Chief Double Dippers & Master Officer Industrial Fraud:
Frank Milstead pulls retirement from Phx hired by Mesa as Chief
Tim Doran pulls retirement from MCSO hired by Gilbert as Chief
Sherry Kiyler pulls retirement from Phx hired by Chandler as Chief
Allan Rodbell pulls retirement from Virginia hired by Sct's as Chief
Tom Ryff pulls retirement from Tempe as Ast Chief hired as Chief
David Gonzales pulls retirement from DPS hired by US Marshal
Bobby Holliday pulls retirement from DPS hired by DPS
Kevin Kotsur pulls retirement from Tempe hired by Avondale as Chief
Larry Rodriguez pulls retirement from Tempe hired by as Chief
Mike Frazier pulls retirement from Phx hired by Surprise as Chief
Bill Richardson pulls retirement from Mesa PD for fake back injury.......sucks up industrial compensation which could go to support officers killed or injured in line of duty!
billrichardson posted at 4:14 pm on Sat, Nov 19, 2011.
Peabody,
When Chiefs Milstead, Dorn, Kiyler, Rodbell, Rodriguez, Kotsur, Frazier and Marshal Gonzles left their respective agencies they had to retire in order to preserve the benefits they earned in their previous careers. Their enrollment in new retirement systems is part of their new empmoyment. Chief Ryff retired and was rehired by Tempe. Director retired and was rehired by DPS. These two cases are definitely doyble dippers. In Ryff's case with his pension, DROP, retirement contribution kickback, city funded 401K and a new state retirement plus Social Security I think you might have a quintuple dipper.
As for my fake injury, I'd be happy to meet with you anytime and show you the scars from my three spinal surgeries, five leg surgeries and the x-rays of the dozen screws and rods that hold my spine togther courtesy of an on duty head on collison. And for a lifetime of pain I get a grand toal of $171.00 from the Industrial Commission.
NoBackbone posted at 8:32 pm on Sat, Nov 19, 2011.
Facts:
We now know Bill Richardson really isn't "spineless" he has a presence of a man's back bone, it"s just artificial. Imagine his cowardice for it not be for the back bone hardware.
Point # 2: With all those major injuries and surgeries, we now sympathize with Bill Richardson for having "issues" ........need another beer Bill? Really Bill, anyone that would go public and list their physical ailments is either drunk, hung over or not working with a "full deck".
Hey "Wild Bill", tell us about another homicide, bank robbery, sexual assault, arson, kidnapping, fatal hit and run, take down of major drug cartel, fire lane violation, stop sign violation, international espionage, or perhaps another major investigation you cleared during your tenure as a "Master Officer"!
BTW, what the heck is a "Master Officer". Is that for those who continually flunked the Sergeants test? Bottom line Bill, you are a fake and a COWARD!
Love friends of Russ! LDS Power! But, we will pray for you.
KJDaVinci777 posted at 10:45 pm on Sat, Nov 19, 2011.
Bill, "Peabody has no "Backbone" and Backbone just likes to "Pea" on any body...These 2 petty jealous jerks do not have a clue as to your important points re: fallen officers. There is no way that a Fed-State- or local enforcement official would get the Gifford treatment. I am all for Gifford getting the ultimate rehab., but like you Bill - I know that type of treatment would never happen to law enforcement agts. Bill next time draw maps for the 2 uneducated Arpio-Brewer types...
exit526 posted at 1:21 am on Tue, Nov 22, 2011.
LeonC, there is no vendetta against the boy-sheriff. There was no withdrawal by Adams from your mythical Arizona Public Safety Widows, Orphans and Disabled Account. It was public money that was needed elsewhere.
The only person that needs to move on is Mr. Babeu.
Though a small part of Mr. Richardson's column, over a million dollars was appropriated from a strained state budget specifically for Babeu. Adams, Pearce, Brewer and their minions all agreed and insisted that money should go ONLY to Babeu's comedy show in the desert. Other sheriffs needed not to apply.
What did state taxpayers get out of the deal? A quarter century old helicopter that took over $800K of the endowment for further follies. No accountability on his part. And it sits, next to the antique Piper Cub he just had to have.
Want to see vendetta? Ask any of the 23 upper command/civilians that he has added (with only $1.3M a year in additional salaries) to his elite operation as at-will or probationary employees. You won't hear a word from them because if they speak ill of the annointed one, they are gone - and several have fallen by the wayside for doing that. He has their loyalty, more clearly defined as being under the same grip of fear that his mentor, Arpaio, has going.
Want to see vendetta? Wait until the Pinal taxpayers finally realize what Boy Wonder has been costing and will cost the county for years to come. Pending lawsuits in the millions based on direct actions by Babeu.
Speaking of dumping of money on Babeu's desk, the key thing to watch with anything he does financially: it is always with other people's money, in his personal life and in his political pursuits. His personal finances are going to be finally seen by the public. His several foreclosures and loan defaults in Massachusetts, his foreclosures in Pinal County, all public record. He and his little brother have bankrupted their parents who have been providing the boys their lifestyle here. There is at least $90K HELoC money floating out there somewhere.
Let's see, three years as a school marm with troubled kids, three years on the streefs of Chandler, three years playing I'm-not-really-here as sheriff, and now he wants the fame, power, prestige and money that comes with being a member of a do nothing Congress (well qualified, based on his life experience) - are we seeing a pattern here?
Laugh off any criticism of your adored sheriff Babeu. Get back with us when the curtain is finally drawn and you see what is really there. Babeu is not the focus of this article other than his unashamed acceptance of his "battle money" that could have gone for useful needs as Mr. Richardson has opined.
And to NoBB, Babeu also falls into your quest for the bottom line, with your tossing fake and coward in the mix. With that, do let us know when you find why the celebrated war-zone (EEOC officer) National Guard major left their employ abruptly. Another curtain that will be interesting to see drawn back. No, don't think it was DADT. Twenty years and as a field grade officer he didn't even get a cake?
Things aren't slowing down for the education of the public as to the real Paul Babeu. Be patient as it is just beginning.
Arizona Willie posted at 2:24 pm on Mon, Dec 5, 2011.
Not to be the grinch ... but I'm gonna be the grinch.
Bull puckey... police and firemen jobs are just jobs. The people in them seek them out. They have to apply for them ... they aren't forced to be police or firemen.
They know the risks of the job.
There is no reason to have any more sympathy for them than for some construction worker who gets killed on the job.
Nobody gives a c*0p when that happens. Devastates their family too. Who cares? Nobody.
Don't see people taking up collections for the family of Chet the Carpenter.
Construction people do mankind a huge service too. They build the power plants and hospitals without which there would be little civilization. They work in 115 degrees and -30 degrees.
Boo hoo .. who cares? Nobody.
Police are nothing special.
They are people doing a job they asked for knowing the risks full well.
I don't like to see ANYONE get killed or injured on the job.
But all this crud about doing more for police and firemen cause they are so special is a bunch of hooey.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 3:26 pm on Wed, Mar 6, 2013.
Bill Richardson,
Every one would have to agree (even Left-Wing Loony-Tunes) that a RAPE CASE I THE CITY OF MESA..... is way more important than a ..."TRAFFIC SNARL" ON THE I-10.
So please tell the readers...............HOW MANY OF MESA's ...1,480...RAPE CASES THAT OCCURED BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2002 - 2011..........WERE BROUGHT TO TRIAL ????????
JUST GIVE US A BALL-PARK FIGURE...........100.....300......500.....700....1000....ALL 1480......THROW SOMETHING OUT THERE ..........BILL.