Cops on Top

Memorial Expeditions Honoring Fallen Law Enforcement Officers
Cops on Top is a team of volunteers from the law enforcement and public service community, who undertake mountain climbing expeditions to honor the memories of those heroes who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting others. We welcome you to our home.

Update: 2009 Summit for Heroes

Once again, Cops on Top honored all officers, nationwide, 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 one of our largest events 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 sacrifices of their states officers. Cops on Top is extremely proud of each teams accomplishments and looks forward to the Cops on Top 2010 Summit for Heroes!
 
2009 Summit for Heroes Roster
         
   
  STATE PARTICIPANTS DEPARTMENT  
         
  Alabama Asst. Sup. Brian Casey Cheaha State Park  
  Cheaha Mountain  
         
  Alaska  
  Denali  
         
  Humphreys Peak Officer David Smith Buckeye PD  
  Officer James Rayrioux Buckeye PD  
  Commander Dan Pringle (Ret) Buckeye PD  
  Officer Livi Kacic Chandler PD  
  Detective Brendan Busse Chandler PD  
  Detective Chris Perez Chandler PD  
  Officer Graham Tinius Chandler PD  
  Sgt. Dan Greene Chandler PD  
  Lindsey Slate Melanie's sister  
  Melanie Slate Chandler PD  
  Detective Mike Russo Chandler PD  
  Officer Todd Sullivan Gilbert PD  
  Sgt Stan Mondragon Gilbert PD  
  Jodi Mondragon Stan's wife  
  Bryce Mondragon Stan and Jodi's son  
  Breadon Mondragon Stan and Jodi's son  
  Sgt. Joe Kacic Gilbert PD  
  Officer Andy Bates Gilbert PD  
  Paramedic Roger Bounds Guardian   
  Officer Paul Hermans Peoria PD  
  Officer Ryan Hunt Mesa PD  
  Officer Stephen Mangum Phoenix AZ PD  
  Officer Frank O'Halloran Scottsdale PD  
  Lt Don Smith (Ret) Sioux City Fire  
  Officer Bob Gabrych Surprise PD  
  Dustin Gabrych Bob's son  
  Sgt. Scott Smith Tempe PD  
  Sgt. Eric Anspach DPS  
  Chief Jack Lane DPS  
  Officer Bob Nowlan DPS  
  Kathleen Adams DPS  
  Detective Doug Wheeler DPS  
  Lt John Philpot DPS  
  Scott Church DPS  
  Ann Harwood DPS  
  Officer Russ Dodge DPS  
  Officer Stephanie Allen DPS  
  Sgt. Frank Stewart DPS  
  Mary Jo Aleks DPS  
  Lt Wayde Webb DPS  
  Officer Matthew Engwis DPS  
  Officer Jarrod Lampsa DPS  
  Lt Steve Harrison DPS  
         
  Arkansas  
  Mount Magazine  
         
  California Sgt. Lance Haight San Fransico BART Police  
  Mount Whitney Officer Dan Hoover San Fransico BART Police  
  Officer Anthony Pirone San Fransico BART Police  
  Officer Mark Ormsby Hayward PD  
  Under Sheriff Dahl. A Cleek Tulare County Sheriff's Dept  
  Lieutenant Scott Logue Tulare County Sheriff's Dept  
  Sergeant Jon Brown Tulare County Sheriff's Dept  
  Deputy Randy Semic Tulare County Sheriff's Dept  
  Deputy Gracie Johnson Tulare County Sheriff's Dept  
  Deputy Chris Landin  Tulare County Sheriff's Dept  
         
  Colorado Detective Mareshah Hale  Colorado Springs PD  
  Mount Elbert Officer Gary Corollo  Colorado Springs PD  
  Officer Chris Cherry  Colorado Springs PD  
         
  Connecticut Sgt. Christene Mertes Hartford Police Department  
  Mount Frissel  
         
  Delaware Officer Mike Natale Rehoboth Beach PD  
  Ebright Azimuth  
         
  Florida Anna LaCour Crime Stoppers of Walton Co.  
  Britton Hill Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Jr Walton County S.O.  
  Deputy Harold Shover Honor Guard, WCSO  
  Reverend Tyrone Brodus  
  Airman 1st Class Zachary McClure 96th Sec. Forces, Sglin AFB  
  Senior Airman Robert Caples 96th Sec. Forces, Sglin AFB  
  15-man formation Honor Guard  
  Sharon Maierle Crime Stoppers of Walton Co.  
  Jackie Adkins Crime Stoppers of Walton Co.  
         
  Georgia Kimberly Verdone Woodstock Police Department  
  Brasstown Bald  
         
  Hawaii  
  Mauna Kea  
         
  Idaho Ron Sammons Boise Police Department  
  Borah Peak   
         
  Illinois Sgt. Joe Franzen US Army Infantry  
  Charles Mound Sgt Sarah Ellis Wisconsin Counter Drug  
  Deputy David Garard Ogle County Sheriffs Office  
         
  Indiana Chief Deputy Shane Durham Bunker Hill IN Police Department  
  Hoosier Hill Det. Sgt. Dennis Fishburn Indianapolis Metro Police  
  Mary Fishburn Dennis's wife  
  Officer Jason Fishburn Indianapolis Metro Police  
  Tonya Fishburn Jason's wife  
  Jennifer Fishburn Dennis and Mary's daughter  
         
  Iowa Sheriff Douglas L. Weber Osceola County Sheriff  
  Hawkeye Point  
         
  Kansas Sgt Perry Speelman Denver CO Police Dept  
  Mount Sunflower  
         
  Kentucky Lt Brian Bennett Fayette County   
  Black Mountain  
         
  Louisiana Lt. Michael L. Jones Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office  
  Driskill Mountain  
         
  Maine Gerry Crispo Royal Canadian Mounted Police  
  Mount Katahdin Constable Brian Carmichael Fredericton Police Force  
  Constable Darryl Carter Fredericton Police Force  
  Constable Nancy Rideout Fredericton Police Force  
  Quartermaster Carson Hagerman Fredericton Police Force  
         
  Maryland Deputy Angela Muller St. Mary's County SO  
  Backbone Mt. John Delozier Angela's husband  
  Alaxander Muller Angela's son  
  Jim Hollis Angela's uncle  
  Sgt. Douglas White Washington County SO  
  Major Robert Leatherman   
  Bobby Leatherman Robert's son  
  Major Sam Bilotti  
  Sgt Paul Boyer  
  Deputy Casey Barnes  
  Trooper Josh Barnes  
  Deputy Annette Sprecher  
  Deputy Mike Palladino  
  Deputy Mark Albowitz  
  Deputy Joel Footen  
  Deputy Allan Matheny  
  Retired Cpl. Scott Matheny  
  Deputy Brian Burke  
  Deputy Bryan Teets  
  PCO Sarah Faith  
  Deputy Rick Kemmerer  
  Sgt Mark Price  
  Deputy Jason Willison  
  PCO Carmen Nason  
  Sgt Douglas White   
  Mason White Doug's son  
         
  Massachusetts Officer John Bassi Pittsfield Police Dept  
  Greylock  
         
  Michigan Deputy Martain Mendell Allegan MI County SO  
  Mount Avron Connor Mendell Martin's son  
  Eda Mendell Martin's daughter  
         
  Minnesota Sgt Steve Clark White Bear Police Dept  
  Eagle Mountain  
         
  Mississippi Chief Joel Spellins Sherman Police Department  
  Woodall Mountain  
         
  Missouri  
  Taum Sauk  
         
  Montana Captain Keith McPheeters Farmington NM Police Dept  
  Granite Peak Rocky Fails Farmington NM Police Dept (Ret)  
  Officer Stu Frink Washington State Patrol  
  Lane McPheeters Weber County UT SO SAR  
  Logan McPheeters Lane's son  
  Lieutenant Troy Bacon Frankfort IN Police Dept  
  Rick Mossman National Park Service  
  Officer Chuck Porter Denver CO Police Department  
         
  Nebraska Chief Doug Provance Kimball Police Department  
  Panorama Point  
         
  Nevada Deputy Erik Wallitner Washoe County Sheriffs Office  
  Boundry Peak Officer Hans Keller     Incline Constable Office  
  Officer Shawn Woodard Las Vegas PD  
  Officer Kyle Owen Las Vegas PD  
  Officer Justin Terry Las Vegas PD  
  Officer Won Cho Las Vegas PD  
  Sgt. Darren Heiner Las Vegas PD  
  Officer Al Gibson Las Vegas PD  
  Officer Kyle Lopez Las Vegas PD  
  Tom Hawley Channel 3 News  
  John Chevallier Resort Sports Network (RSN)  
         
  New Hampshire Sgt. Jim Soucy Manchester Police Department  
  Mount Washington Officer Paul Rondeau Manchester Police Department  
  Officer Bill Soucy Manchester Police Department  
  Det. Steve Coco Manchester Police Department  
  Captain Dave Reilly Manchester Police Department  
  Det. Dave Dupont Manchester Police Department  
  Det. Tim Chapel Manchester Police Department  
  Det. Rick Brown Manchester Police Department  
  Capt. Gerry Lassard Manchester Police Department  
  Officer Paul Grugan Manchester Police Department  
  PPO Mark O'Donoghue NH Dept of Corrections  
  PPO Dave Bouchard NH Dept of Corrections  
  PPO Gerry Lagasse NH Dept of Corrections  
  Trooper Sean Haggerty NH State Police  
         
  New Jersey Lt John Benyo  Picatinny NJ Police Dept  
  High Point  
         
  New Mexico Officer Jerry Hogrefe Red River NM Police Department  
  Wheeler Peak  
         
  New York Lt. Paul Sandy Cortland NY Police  
  Mount Marcy Chief John P. Colella Macedon Police Department  
  Rachel Colella Wayne County S.O  
  Officer William Powell  Macedon Police Department  
  Stephanie Powell William's wife  
  Sgt. Tom Cooman Macedon Police Department  
  Officer Earl Lergnet IV Macedon Police Department  
  Ken Hubert NYPD  
         
  North Carolina Sgt. Joe Friday Jr Greenville Police Department  
  Mount Mitchell  
         
  North Dakota Jeff Azure Bismarck Police Dept.  
  White Butte  
         
  Ohio Deputy Donn Steer Muskingum County SO  
  Campbell Hill Deputy Nicole Brown Muskingum County SO  
  Patty Steer Donn's wife  
  Colin Steer Son  
  Clay Steer Son  
  Phil Janke Police Survior  
  Bev Janke Police Survior  
         
  Oklahoma  
  Black Mesa  
         
  Oregon  
  Mount Hood  
         
  Pennsylvania Officer Jim Kuzak Peters Township Police Dept  
  Mount Davis  
         
  Rhode Island Capt. Eric C. Rollinson Foster Police Department  
  Jerimoth Hill  
         
  South Carolina Jim Burriss Greenville County S.O.  
  Sassafras Mt.  
         
  South Dakota Commander Brian Mueller Pennington CO SO  
  Harney Peak Sgt. Randy Harkins Pennington CO SO  
  Deputy D. Calhoun Pennington CO SO  
  Deputy J. Fagerland Pennington CO SO  
  Deputy Matt Sargent Pennington CO SO  
         
  Tennessee Deputy Rick Abbott Clinton County IN SO  
  Clingmans Dome Comm. Officer Amanda Abbott Frankfort IN Police Dept  
  Bailea Abbott Rick and Amanda's daughter  
  Stan Pugh Amanda's father  
  Merri Pugh Amanda's mother  
         
  Texas Sgt. Mike Hoyt Dallas TX Police Department  
  Guadalupe Peak Police Officer Scott Ash Dallas TX Police Department  
  Detective Jeremy Borchardt Dallas TX Police Department  
  Police Officer Joshua Cloutier Dallas TX Police Department  
  Detective Fred MacDonald Dallas TX Police Department  
  Police Officer Brad Riede Dallas TX Police Department  
  Detective Tom Popken Dallas TX Police Department  
  Police Officer Joshua Vogel Dallas TX Police Department  
  Sgt. Ron Martin El Paso TX Police Department   
  Officer Jose Talavera  El Paso TX Police Department   
  Officer Edward Saucedo El Paso TX Police Department   
  Officer Joshua Paulson  El Paso TX Police Department   
  Officer Norman Montion  El Paso TX Police Department   
  Officer Robert Pisarcik  El Paso TX Police Department   
  Officer Jesus Gomez  El Paso TX Police Department   
  Lt. Ray Leible Midland Police Dept  
  Sgt. Brian Rackow Midland Police Dept  
  Sgt. David Scardino Midland Police Dept  
  Ofc. Dave Edwards Midland Police Dept  
  Ofc. Brent Sheets Midland Police Dept  
  Ofc. Margarita Carrasco Midland Police Dept  
  Casey Stone -Fitness Coordinator Midland Police Dept  
  Delila Venegas - TRU Supervisor Midland Police Dept  
  Liz Reagan - TRU  Midland Police Dept  
  Officer Fernie Rincon Texas State Park Police  
  Officer Jacob Barton Texas State Park Police  
         
  Utah Firefighter Steve Janke US Forest Service (Ashley N.F.)  
  Kings Peak Ing-Marie Janke Steve's wife  
  Jennifer Tanner Police Survivor  
         
  Vermont Michele Magee Middlebury PD  
  Mount Mansfield  
         
  Virginia Scott Humphrey Virginia Beach Police Dept  
  Mount Rogers  
         
  Washington  
  Mount Rainier  
         
  West Virginia Det. Corporal Jamie Blume Beckley Police Department  
  Spruce Knob  
         
  Wisconsin Officer Aaron Thornton Sturgeon Bay Police Dept  
  Timms Hill  
         
  Wyoming  
  Gannett  
         
 
WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
 
 

Listen to the Latest Reports from the Cops on Top Memorial Expedition Teams

The ten most-recent updates are shown below. Click on each headline to access the audio reports. All of the 2008 expedition teams' updates can be found at this link and photos from teams providing them can be found here.

 
 
What Cops on Top is All About

Cops on Top has a strong commitment to provide tangible aid for the grieving and healing process of those who have lost a beloved officer, to support organizations dedicated to this cause, and to project a positive image of law enforcement officers. We honor, and raise awareness, for police officers who have been killed while protecting and serving their communities.
 
Cops on Top plans annual climbing expeditions to the world's most respected mountains. The purpose is to bring to the public's attention the dangers, stress and life-altering effects on the average police officer. A fallen officer's memory serves as our banner and a memorial is placed on each summit attempted.
 
The Cops on Top team is comprised of volunteer climbers, largely self-funded law enforcement officers. Volunteers are welcome to contact Cops on Top. The fallen officers on whose behalf the climbs are undertaken are nominated by family, friends, and law enforcement organizations.
 
The Origin of Cops on Top
 
Cops on Top was founded by Captain Keith McPheeters of the Farmington New Mexico Police Department. In 1998, Captain McPheeters was a member of that agencies Special Response Team searching for the killers of Cortez Colorado Police Officer Dale Claxton. The manhunt was the largest of its kind in American history and conducted in the remote Southwestern United States Four-Corners region of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. During those months, McPheeters reflected on of the nature of his occupation, the public's perception of a police officer's work, and the effect such a loss has on an officer's survivors. From these thoughts, the concept of Cops on Top took form.
 
Your Support is Appreciated
 
Cops on Top maintains the highest integrity with respects to all fiscal and financial matters of the team. All sponsorships, donations, receipts, and disbursements are recorded and reported. All donations under the Cops on Top name should be made directly to the organization. If you have any questions about making donations or if you question the purpose of any person who has solicited your donation and wish to confirm its validity, please contact us.
 
Cops on Top graciously accepts sponsorships and donations for equipment and provisions for the climbing team, as well as for the aid of officers fallen in the line of duty. If you would like to support this noble cause, contact the team directly and indicate if you wish to aid the team or the team'scause. Also, Cops on Top highly recommends supporting Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS).

What's New

  • Arizona in the news!

    Click the link below to read a fantastic article in the Easy Valley Tribune titled, "Cops on Top hike to remember DPS officer". http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/140751 DPS Officer Bruce Harrolle, who was killed last October, was honored during team Arizona's hike during the Cops on Top 2009 Summkit for Heroes. Great job TEAM ARIZONA...
    Posted to 2009 Summit for Heroes (Forum) by TroyBacon on 07-03-2009

  • Nevada team video (RSN)

    Deputy Erik Wallitner gives a great interview wiht RNS about the 2009 Cops on Top Summit for Heroes held on June 27th, 2009. Click on the link below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NrGiZ-Unjk
    Posted to 2009 Summit for Heroes (Forum) by TroyBacon on 07-03-2009

  • Granite Peak video!

    Keith McPheeters, founder of Cops on Top, leaves a heartfelt message while atop Granite Peak, the tallest mountain in Montana during the 2009 Cops on Top Summit for Heroes held on June 27th, 2009.Click on the link below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLrjG4snt8I (Note: the video is cut short due to memory card issues)
    Posted to 2009 Summit for Heroes (Forum) by TroyBacon on 07-03-2009

  • Re: Granite Peak in Montana Summitted!

    I am so proud to have reached the summit of Granite Peak! It was a tough climb but we had a strong great team. I am honored to have made the trip with you Keith, Rocky, Lane, Stu, Chuck, Rick, and Logan! I guess the third time (for me) is a charm! Chuck, I think it was my little yellow friend sticker that I had on my helmet!!!! You are all friends that...
    Posted to 2009 Summit for Heroes (Forum) by TroyBacon on 07-02-2009

  • Kansas is honored

    Denver CO Sgt. Perry Speelman honors the fallen officers of the great state of Kansas during the 2009 Cops on Top Summit for Heroes.
    Posted to 2009 Summit For Heroes (Gallery) by TroyBacon on 07-02-2009

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