March 2018

I apologize for not getting an update out sooner, but sometimes work gets in the way of things. Since the last update we have been working on several projects that we feel will continue to move the MNFOP forward and help us recruit new members.

 

We are in the process of redesigning the MNFOP logo. The current logo has been used in one form or another for the last 20+ years and we felt that it was time to refresh it and update it. If you have any ideas for what you would like to see in the new logo please let me know. Our goal is to have a very elegant looking logo that really grabs peoples attention when they see it. Once we get the logo completed we are going to start working on a short 5-10 minute recruitment video. We have already been in contact with a video producer and we have a rough outline of what we think should be included in the video. If you have any ideas or items that you think should be included in the video please let me know. Once the video is completed it will be available for all members and local lodges to use for recruiting. Read more >

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October 2017

Thank you to those who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend the State Board Meeting at Chase on the Lake in Walker. We had a full agenda and were able to push through and get a lot of important work done on behalf of the membership.

 

Unfortunately I have to start with sad news, on September 8th Lake Minnetonka Lodge 6 member William Mathews of the Wayzata Police Department was struck and killed while removing debris from the traffic lane on US Hwy 12. His funeral was held on Thursday September 14th at 11:00 in Plymouth. As in other line of duty deaths, MN LEMA handled all of the funeral planning and arrangements. They did an amazing job honoring Officer Mathews at the service and with the procession to the cemetery that followed. We are working with the insurance company to file the accidental death claim on behalf of Officer Mathews. I recently sent out an email to local lodges looking for anyone with contacts with any of the major sports teams. We are working on setting up several events in the coming months for Wyatt Mathews the 7 y/o son of Officer William Mathews. After speaking with Shawn Mathews the widow of Officer Mathews, she told me that Wyatt is having a tough time with losing his father. We would like to get him to some sporting events and other events to take his mind off things. If you or your members can assist us with this please let me know. We have also been working with State Senator Paul Anderson to rename the section of Hwy 12 in Wayzata after Officer Mathews. When I spoke with Shawn Mathews she gave me her blessing to move forward with this. The bill has been drafted and has been sent to for review. Senator Anderson did not anticipate any opposition to this bill and is hoping to get it to a vote as soon as the session starts in late February of 2018. I will keep everyone updated as the bill makes it way through the system. In the meantime please remember keep his Officer Mathews family, friends and the Wayzata Police Department in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate thru this difficult time. Read more >

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September 2017

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer. I want to apologize for not getting an update out sooner, but unfortunately work and family get in the way sometimes.

 

Unfortunately, last week Lodge 6 member William Mathews of the Wayzata Police Department was struck and killed while removing debris from the traffic lane. His funeral will be held on Thursday September 14th at 11:00 in Plymouth. Please contact me if you need the details for the funeral. We have reached out to MN LEMA to officer any assistance that is needed and we are working with the insurance company to file the accidental death claim on behalf of Officer Mathews. Please keep his family, friends and the Wayzata Police Department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Read more >

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May 2017

Thank you to those who attended the State Conference for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend and to have your voice heard. We had a full agenda and a lot of information was passed on to the membership.  I will highlight a few of the items discussed in this update. We have made some great strides in the last year to move the MNFOP forward after sitting idle for too long. We have become more financially stable by eliminating our debt and supporting the organization through membership dues. We are now able to start focusing on recruiting new members and securing additional benefits for our current ones. In the last couple of months, I have made contact with each local lodge to ensure that they are in compliance with the MN Secretary of State, and that they have all of their current information on file with the Grand Lodge. The majority of the lodges were in compliance and those that were not were given instructions on how to correct their issues. If your lodge is having issues please let myself or State Secretary David Miller know, and we will assist you with the process of getting in compliance. I am hoping to have continued contact between the local lodges and the State Lodge in the future. By doing this we will keep lodges better informed of what is going on not only in Minnesota, but across the country as well. It will also ensure that lodges are current and that any issues they are having will be taken care of in a timely manner. Read more >

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February 2017

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

 

On February 14th and 15th Pat Chelmo from Lodge 6, Immediate Past President Gary Cayo and I will be attending the annual Day on the Hill in Washington D.C. hosted by the Grand Lodge Legislative Office. Day on the Hill is a time when FOP members from across the country can come together with a common voice and fight for the rights of all law enforcement officers no matter their uniform color or rank or agency size. We will be speaking to the “top legislative priorities” of the Grand Lodge, which include the ”Officers Due Process and Accountability Act” and the “Social Security Fairness Act”.  Read more >

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