SAN DIEGO–The San Diego Police Officers Association will celebrate their 100th year of supporting San Diego Police and their families this month.
Established July 28, 1912, the association is taking this milestone as an opportunity to thank the community for their ongoing support of San Diego law enforcement.
The association was established after two San Diego police officers were shot in the line of duty and received no assistance for their medical bills. Local businessman John D. Spreckels donated $250 for the officers’s medical bills, and then utilized his newspaper, the San Diego Union, to solicit donations for the fund. This action established the San Diego Police Relief Association.
“The association was established with the support of local businesses and members of the community, said Brian R. Marvel, president of the San Diego Police Officer Association. “Today, we continue to rely on the help of our friends and neighbors in the community, and we want to make sure that they know we are sincerely appreciative of their ongoing support.”
The association expanded in scope and mission and was officially incorporated on August 5, 1953. The Police Relief Association Articles of Incorporation were amended in 1962 to rename the association to the San Diego Police Officers Association, Inc., as it is called today.
Today, the association continues their mission to assist San Diego police officers in issues related to wages, hours, and working conditions, as well as aiding members and their families in sickness, distress and death. The association also strives to improve social relations and welfare among its members. One of the core ways that the association accomplishes their mission is through the San Diego Police Officers Association Widows and Orphans Fund. In the tragic event that a San Diego police officer is killed in the line of duty, the fund provides financial assistance to the family of the officer to help them get through an extremely difficult time.
If you would like to make a donation, make checks payable to SDPOA Widows & Orphans Fund, and send to San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers Street, San Diego, CA 92111. Online donations are also accepted at www.sdpoa.com. The association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization (Tax ID 330127369).
