Several Texas police officers were critically injured in 2019. Here’s how to help them
Would you like to help critically injured police officers in Texas during the holidays?
You have some chances on Friday and Saturday.
The Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation will be conducting its annual Christmas Angels Program at five North Texas locations, collecting gift cards and money for critically injured officers.
“In January alone, we had five critically injured officers in the first week,” said Maria Alvarado, president and founder of POAF, based in Arlington.
The assistance to officers is for those who have not returned to their job or have not been able to work their extra jobs to supplement their income.
POAF has assisted more than 20 critically injured officers in Texas in 2019. The foundation covers all 254 counties in the state.
One of those officers helped by POAF this year was San Marcos Police Officer Claudia Cormier, who was seriously injured in May after being hit by a suspected drunken driver on Interstate 35 in San Marcos. Cormier lost her leg in the accident. Neil Sheehan of Flower Mound was charged with intoxication assault.
POAF was founded in memory of Cpl. Rick Barreda with the DFW Airport Department of Public Safety, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 14, 1997.
These are the venues on Friday where residents can donate:
▪ J Gilligan’s Bar and Grill, 400 E. Abram St., Arlington, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 6 to 9 p.m.
▪ Clay Cooley Mitsubishi, 1500 W. Interstate 20, Arlington, all day.
▪ El Primo’s Mexican Grill & Cantina, 2300 Matlock Rd, Mansfield, all day.
▪ Arlington Alliance for Children, 1320 W. Abram St., Arlington, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The venue on Saturday will be at the Grand Prairie Police Department, 1525 Arkansas Lane, Grand Prairie, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Uniformed officers and their spouses will be at the station accepting donations.
