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:

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