Phoenix Business Journal (Arizona)
Scottsdale-based stun gun maker Taser International Inc. Friday announced the establishment of the Taser Foundation for Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers, and named the first three families to be awarded grants from its $1 million initial endowment.
According to company officials, the purpose of the Taser Foundation is to honor fallen law enforcement officers and provide financial support to their families. On Nov. 14 in Los Angeles, the Foundation’s first three memorial grants will be presented to Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris and Chief Margaret York of the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety for the benefit of the families of officers Eric White and Jason Wolfe of Phoenix, and Captain Michael Sparks of Los Angeles, who were killed in the line of duty in August.
In 2003, 145 law enforcement officers in the United States and 11 in Canada were killed in the line of duty.
“Taser International works in partnership with American and Canadian law enforcement agencies to enhance the safety of our officers and the general public,” said Rick Smith, Taser’s chief executive. “We are pleased to expand this partnership in a way that honors the sacrifice of these brave men and women.
Geraldine Anderson was named executive director of the Taser Foundation. Smith said Anderson brings “a wealth of experience in the nonprofit arena. In addition, she has a passion for helping the families of fallen officers since she lost her brother Officer Adam Hills of Rochester (Michigan) in 1994.”
Next week in Washington, D.C., the Taser Foundation will present an additional memorial grant to the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Phillip Cline, for the benefit of the family of Officer Michael Gordon who was killed in the line of duty Aug. 8.
More than one half of the initial $1 million endowment came in direct contributions from Taser International employees, with the balance contributed by the company.
Grants are available only upon request by chiefs of police and sheriffs as well as federal law enforcement executives in the name of officers killed in the line of duty since Aug. 1, 2004. Smith said Taser International will bear all of the administrative costs of the Foundation in order to ensure 100 percent of all donations are distributed to the families of fallen officers.
Taser International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) provides stun guns for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets.