Cops on Top

2008 Summit for Heroes: A summary

TroyBacon — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:22:00 GMT

On June 7th, officers, friends, and family members from across this great country and Canada shared in the common goal of reaching their states highpoint; sharing in the memory and sacrifice of those officers who have been killed in the line of duty. Teams from California to Maine set out to accomplish this goal, persevering through tough climbs and hikes, to stand upon their respective summits and reflect on the rigors, dangers, and responsibilities of our profession. For some teams it was very personal. For others, it was a tribute to those brothers and sisters who never had the chance to say goodbye before they were taken from us.

Although the 2008 Summit for Heroes saw less summits than our historic year of 2006, this year there were over 190 participants that stood atop various state highpoints across the country. There is a new energy and renewed interest in Cops on Top and the Summit for Heroes. Let's carry this enthusiasm into 2009!

A heartfelt "Thank you" to all the teams that participated.

Listed below (shown in red) are those states that reported a sucessfull summit for thier states highpoint:

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A Call For Remembrance....

Keith McPheeters — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:18:00 GMT

On this coming Thursday, May 29, 2008, I will go to work as I have for the last 16+ years. I will try to accomplish as much as I can at work; sorting through the endless paperwork and deadlines, requests and demands, all while in an air conditioned office in the comfort of the Administration Office of the Farmington New Mexico Police Department. I will leave work in time to coach my son's baseball team in hopes of making up for time lost in years past and for the games I never coached for my three older daughters. After the game, I will return home to my family; tired, but satisfied and blessed.

Despite the busy day, as they all are these days, one more thing will yet lay before me on that day. For you see, it will have been ten years to the day that Officer Dale Claxton of the Cortez Colorado Police Department was gunned down by cowards in the beautiful Southwest that I call home. Officer Claxton never had the chance to come home at the end of his Shift on that fateful day, never had the chance to renew and re-vitalize in the presence of his children and family at the end of that day.

It was those thoughts that haunted both myself, and others with me, during the long search to apprehend Officer Claxton's killers. During those days of discouragement and frustration, we could not forget the image of Dale not being able to come home to his family. From those dark days was born the dream and vision of Cops on Top.

On May 29, I will bow my head in silence and remember a man I never met. I will take pride that I share a profession and calling with great men and women like Dale Claxton, who have sacrificed so fully so that others may sleep in peace and raise their children in prosperity and safety. I will pray that my fellow comrades, police officers from across this great nation and indeed, across the world, may return home that night to their loved ones. And, I will vow yet again that I will NEVER FORGET!

Unfortunately, in the ten years since Dale Claxton was forcibly removed from his loved ones and the community which he proudly served, many other officers have similarly not been able to come home to their families.

As Cops on Top celebrates its Tenth Anniversary, it is my hope that Cops on Top, the small organization that grew out of the tragedy suffered upon the Claxton Family and the Cortez Police Department, will continue to render honor to those that have been killed in the line of duty. It is my prayer that the families of our fallen friends may know of our heartfelt love for them and that we will continue to honor the memory of their loved one.

Let us never forget the humble beginnings from which Cops on Top emerged and the pain and longing that will never be filled in the hearts of those close to Dale.

I call upon all those who now find themselves considering this call for remembrance and who cannot help but consider yet again the dangers of a career in Law Enforcement and the sacrifice of so many brave and noble men and women. I call upon all of you, my brothers and sisters who share this profession, to stay alert, to stay safe, and to stay unblemished from that which would try and sully you and your uniform. Cherish every moment with your family and friends. Help us to remember those that have fallen before us in service of their fellow men. Help us to ensure that "We Will NEVER Forget!"

On June 7, 2008, Cops on Top will yet again take to the highest points in all 50 of the United States in honor of our fallen comrades. The 2008 Summit for Heroes will face many challenges, as they all have in the past, and will yet again flirt with greatness as we attempt to become the first to reach all 50 state highpoints on a single day. Some participants will be honoring a friend or coworker to whom they were very close. Others will be honoring many officers that they never knew or met. And some participants will be honoring their beloved family member that was killed in the line of duty. We invite you all to join any one of the groups or individuals making this small effort to honor the memories of those who sacrificed their lives on our behalf.

Together, we can reach the highest point of every State.

Together, we can keep the memory of our fallen friends alive and burning brightly.

May Cops on Top continue growing into the future as it has in the past. May we continue to make and keep friendships fostered by our participation in Cops on Top events. May we all enjoy health and prosperity. May we all come home to our families at the ends of our different Shifts. May we never forget.

Respectfully,

Lieutenant Keith McPheeters

Farmington, New Mexico

May 26, 2008

Liability Release

TroyBacon — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:27:00 GMT

Participant Agreement, Acknowledgment of Risk, and

Release from Liability

for

Cops on Top

The information on this site is a compilation of unverified information from many different sources. Accuracy of any of the information cannot be assured, as it is subject to change over time. Also, descriptions of difficulty and danger are always subjective and depend on the physical characteristics, experience, technical ability, confidence, and physical fitness of the individual who supplied the description. Therefore, be warned that you must exercise your own judgment on its difficulty and your ability to safely protect yourself from risk.

Your safety depends on your own good judgment, based your own experience and a realistic assessment of your ability. If you have any doubt as to your ability, do not attempt it.

To make your experience safer, you are advised to consult with others about the difficulty and danger prior to attempting it, and engage an instructor or guide to learn safety techniques.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION: You acknowledge that participation in any Cops on Top activity is voluntary.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK: You are aware that these activities involve risk, and could result in injury, illness, death, and damage or loss of property. These dangers include but are not limited to: the hazards of traveling in remote areas without medical services or care, the forces of nature, the inherent dangers involved in participation in recreation, wilderness travel, and the negligent actions of other persons or agencies. You understand that all activities should be considered "exploratory", with the possibility of unexpected conditions and route variations. Cops on Top is not, nor does not provide, a professional guiding service. In order to partake in the enjoyment and excitement of these activities, you are willing to accept the risk and uncertainty involved as being an integral part of the activity. You acknowledge this risk, and assume full responsibility for any and all risks of injury, illness, death, or damage and loss to property.

PREPARATION: You understand that it is your responsibility to evaluate the difficulty of any Cops on Top activity in which you participate, and decide whether you are prepared by having the experience, skill, knowledge, equipment, and the physical and emotional stamina to safely participate.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE: You agree that you, your heirs, and your personal or legal representatives hereby do release and hold harmless from all liability, and promise not to bring any suit or claim against, Cops on Top, its owners, leaders, directors, agents or representatives for any injury, illness, death, or damage and loss to property resulting from participation in any of their activities even if they negligently caused the injury or damage.

LEGAL FEES: Should it become necessary for Cops on Top, or someone on their behalf, to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, you agree to pay Cops on Top reasonable costs and fees thereby expended, or for which liability is incurred.

INSURANCE: You certify that you have sufficient insurance to cover any bodily injury or property damage that you may incur and/or cause while participation in any Cops on Top activity. If you have no such insurance, you certify that you are capable of paying for all such expenses and liabilities.