South Suburban Chiefs

CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

Eight area students were each awarded $1,000 scholarships by the South Suburban Association Chiefs of Police (SSACOP) last week at the association’s regular meeting in Tinley Park. The students include:

• Brian Wetherald, Tinley Park, currently a student at Providence Catholic High School
• Eric Cavender, Momence, currently a student at Momence High School
• Teriauna Bland, Bolingbrook, attending Augustana College
• Lauren Albanese, Westmont, currently a student at Hinsdale Township H.S. Central
• Kevin Meyers, Homer Glen, attending Knox College
• Morgan Murphy, Chicago Heights, attending University of Francis
• Zachary Zeibert, Chicago Heights, attending Prairie State College
• Morgan Roberts, Tinley Park, currently a student at Lincoln-Way East High School.

The scholarships were awarded under the Police and Support Staff Dependent College Scholarship program of the association to high school seniors or current college students who are dependents of police officers or support staff members of a law enforcement agency whose chief belongs to SSACOP. Thanks to successful fund raising through its annual COP HOP, SSACOP was able to double the number of scholarships awarded this year (from 4 to 8). A large number of students applied for the scholarships and the winners were chosen because of their demonstrated high level of community service.

This scholarship program is in addition to the association’s James Wade Memorial Scholarship program that provides assistance for students who are furthering their education with the intention of entering the law enforcement profession with intention of entering the law enforcement profession. Between these two programs, SSACOP has awarded $10,000 in scholarships to deserving students in 2008.

SSACOP is comprised of police chiefs and police command officers from Federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the South and southwestern suburbs of Chicago. Moraine Valley Community College Police Chief Patrick O’Connor is the president of SSACOP.