Innocent Victims Remembered Innocent bystanders are crime victims — not “accident victims.” They were killed or injured as the result of vehicular police chases or police response calls. They are people just like you or me doing the same things you or I do. They are individuals — families — who were killed while going about their day-to-day business — driving to and from work, to and from the movies, the mall, or picking up their children from school or daycare. They are also babies and toddlers sleeping in their car seats after a fun day at grandma’s house. They are husbands and wives, mothers and fathers. They are not people committing crimes or resisting arrest. They are the people we love, and all of them thought the same thing, “It will never happen to me.” PursuitSAFETY’s team leaders hope the information on this page helps you and your loved ones find the support you need. Members of PursuitSAFETY have recommended these groups and websites, which are in alphabetical order.
Comfort Zone Programs for Children Comfort Zone is a bereavement camp that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. The free camps include confidence building programs and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. Comfort Zone Camps are offered to children 7-17, and are held year-round across the Country.
Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back This project is designed to reach out to bereaved dads and to provide a conduit to share their stories. The project founder, Kelly Farley, says one of his goals is to bring awareness to the impacts that child loss has on fathers and to let society know that it’s okay for a father to grieve the loss of a child. A father shouldn’t have to hide his pain or feel ashamed to show his emotions.
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) “Great organization. I’m returning this year to attend their national conference.” —Cheryl Cooper, son Christopher, an innocent bystander, was killed in Independence, MO. From the POMC web site: Grief does not just “go away” with time. One of the most important things you can do is connect with a person or group with whom you can talk freely. One source of good listeners is the National Headquarters of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.
Umbrella Ministries “I went to one Umbrella Ministries conference. It was wonderful. … I went to my second Umbrella Ministries conference. It helps me and my mother so much.” —Catherine Harper, son Brandon, an innocent bystander, was killed by a fleeing driver on one of the busiest streets in Santa Barbara “I attended a conference with friends several years ago and totally related to this quote from their website: “We may not be able to make the sun shine for you… but we can hold the umbrella” —Candy Priano, her daughter Kristie, an innocent bystander, was killed by a fleeing driver and a non-policy police pursuit in Chico, CA.