Nonprofit to help injured cops through tough times

The formation of the Albuquerque Police Foundation, a nonprofit that will provide financial assistance to police officers and their families who experience life-altering events that prevent them from working for extended periods, is an effort worthy of citizens’ support.

Two private entities, AT&T and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters union, have already stepped up with $5,000 donations each to jump start the foundation.

There’s a common misconception that when a police officer is killed or injured on the job, diagnosed with a medical condition that requires time off for treatment or faces some other event that prevents him or her from working, insurance, workers’ compensation or some other type of financial relief is readily available.

But that’s not always the case, and it’s often not enough.

Aviation Police Officer Bobby Dilley, who works for the city at the Sunport, was driving home three years ago when a drunken driver going more than 90 mph slammed into his vehicle. He was out of work for about 18 months, lost part of his foot, was saddled with medical bills from multiple surgeries and struggled to get out of debt.

Officer Lou Golson, who was shot four times while attempting to arrest a drunken driver in January 2015, faced months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, and is still litigating the huge medical expenses stemming from the shooting. Though he briefly returned to duty at the police academy, his injuries forced an early retirement.

Both officers could have certainly used the resources that will now be available through the nonprofit foundation.

“Something for the long haul is where this type of organization is really needed,” Golson said at the foundation’s kickoff on March 25.

Shaun Willoughby, the president of the police union, said the foundation will work with police agencies around the state to raise money for the fund. He said Wednesday the foundation is in the process of setting up a civilian board of directors to oversee it.

Anyone interested in donating can do so at the foundation’s website, www.abqpolicefoundation.org.