Once again, Cops on Top honored all officers, nation wide, who have been killed in the line of duty during the Cops on Top 2009 Summit for Heroes held on June 27, 2009. On that date, Cops on Top fielded teams across the United States to the highest point of almost all 50 states in remembrance of our fallen comrades.

This year, over 250 law enforcement officers, friends and family, volunteers, and police survivors participated in the Summit for Heroes making it our largest event EVER! Cops on Top is an ever growing organization that continues to grow each year!

Although we were unable to get every state filled this year, rest assured that EVERY law enforcement officer that has ever paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their life protecting the communities they served was NOT forgotten! Many teams experienced bad weather, deep snow, hot sun, and hard climbs but were able to reach their summits to remember the life, memory, and sacrifice of their states fallen officers. Cops on Top is extremely proud of each teams accomplishments and looks forward to the Cops on Top 2010 Summit for Heroes!

To view the Cops on Top 2009 Summit for Heroes team roster click (here)

This year, a small number of officer, friends and family, and volunteers climbed their states highest mountain in honor of the law enforcement officers and all public safety personnel that were killed during the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks for the annual Cops on Top 2009 Sept 11 memorial climbs. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Cops on Top.

Listed below is the Cops on Top Sept 11th memorial climb team roster:

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Cops on Top currently has OFFICIAL team merchandise available for a donation. Shown below are the items that are currently available, their descriptions, and suggested donation value.

The Cops on Top patch measure approximately 4"x3" and has a suggested donation request of $3.00 each.

Pictured are the stickers and magnet we currently have available.

Left to right: The larger sticker measures approximately 3"x 2 1/2", the smaller sticker measures 1 3/4" x 1 1/2 ", and lastly the magnet that measures approximately 3" x 2 1/2".

Suggested donations (each):

Large sticker: $1.50

Small sticker: $1.00

Magnet: $2.00

If you are interested in obtaining OFFICIAL Cops on Top items, contact Chuck Porter (click here) with Cops on Top.

In 1999 soon after starting my career as a law enforcement officer, I accompanied my Deputy Chief and another rookie officer to a police funeral for Indiana State Trooper Richard Gaston, who was killed in the line of duty on March 4th, 1999. To be honest, if I was not "made" to go I probably wouldn't have gone. At that early stage in my career, I was invincible and being new, the reality of being killed in the line of duty was not on my list of concerns. Being a rookie officer, keeping my boots shined and uniform pressed seemed far more important. On our way to Indianapolis, the Deputy Chief went over the dos and don'ts at the funeral, what to expect, and the amount of people that would be there to honor Trooper Gaston. It was a chilly day, I thought. How many people would really be there?

As we neared the entrance of the church, needless to say, I was immediately intimidated and surprised by the hundreds of officers from around the country that were walking inside. I clearly remember seeing patches and uniforms as far away as New Mexico and wondering why someone would come so far to honor someone they had never met. As we walked inside, someone pinned a white carnation under my badge and directed us to the seating area. After the service was over, we gathered outside and stood at attention as the casket was carried to the hearse. We then processed to the cemetery and stood in honor as Trooper Gaston was laid to rest. I then realized what it meant. Why officers had traveled hundreds of miles. The bond that law enforcement officers share for each other is unlike anything that I had ever seen or can describe to this day. After that day, honoring fallen officers and never forgetting the sacrifice they paid to keep us safe is something that I was drawn to.

In 2005, I read an article written by Keith McPheeters of the Farmington New Mexico Police Department about an organization called Cops on Top. As I engrossed myself in the details of the article, I marveled at the lengths (and heights) the group would go to honor our fallen brothers and sisters. As I read about major expeditions the group had undertaken, I was intrigued by an upcoming Cops on Top event honoring those who had been killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks. The goal was to get law enforcement officers on the highest points of their state. Being a hiker and climber already, I immediately emailed Keith and told him that I was in. I recruited three other officers to accompany me (Officer's Adam Noether, Jeff Downey, and Scott Shoemaker) to Richmond, Indiana, where we reached the highpoint of Indiana (Hoosier Hill).

Since that September day, I have continued to participate in Cops on Top events and have come to the realization of the importance of Cops on Top and what it means to participants, friends, family, and co-workers of fallen officers. On January 12, 2009 a team of Cops on Top climbers will travel to Mendoza, Argentina, to honor Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski who was killed in the line of duty on May 3, 2008. I am proud and honored to be a part of the team that will not only honor Sergeant Liczbinski, but also carry on the tradition and mission of Cops on Top and to let the world know that we WILL NEVER FORGET!

Troy Bacon

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.