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Oregon State Police Officers Association Endorses Westlund for State Treasurer

SALEM, Ore. (July 21, 2008) – In a process that included an officer ride-along and that considered both candidates, Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association (OSPOA).

"Ben Westlund has a strong record of supporting Oregon's public safety,” said Jeff Leighty, President of OSPOA. “He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and the ability to find creative solutions that we want in our next State Treasurer."

Westlund has a history of supporting public safety officers.  In 1999, he sponsored legislation that created the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund. Funded by criminal court fees, it has distributed over $1 million dollars in aid to help 48 fallen and permanently injured public safety officers or their families.  The fund has been well-managed by State Treasurer Edwards, maintaining a positive balance for nearly a decade without the use of public tax dollars. 

“Our public safety officers are there for us when we need help and Oregon should be there in their time of crisis,” said Westlund.  “As Oregon’s next State Treasurer, my first priority will be continuing the wise management of Oregon's resources including the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund.  I will also push to make it possible for Oregonians to give online tax-deductible donations to support our fallen officers and their families."

The Oregon State Police Officers’ Association (OSPOA) is an independent labor association with approximately 600 members that consists of patrol troopers, detectives, fish & wildlife troopers, telecommunicators, forensic scientists, criminalists, latent print examiners, questioned document examiners, radio technicians, and trade maintenance workers.  Formed in 1984, its goals include promoting the professional interests of its members, fostering the highest standards of professionalism among its members, improving law enforcement methods, increasing the awareness of public safety issues, and advocating legislation that enhances public safety and law enforcement.

Westlund spotlights Public Safety Memorial Fund

To commemorate the anniversary of the creation of the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund, State Senator and Oregon State Treasurer candidate Ben Westlund (D-Bend), who sponsored House Bill 2391 in 1999, has created a new page on his website for Oregonians to learn about and donate to the Fund. The new link can be found at www.benwestlund.com/memorialfund or by visiting www.benwestlund.com.

“Our public safety officers are there for us when we need help and Oregon should be there in their time of crisis,” said Westlund. “It was nine years ago this very week I carried this bill on the House floor and watched it pass unanimously. By working with legislators from both sides of the aisle, we accomplished something meaningful.”

The fund, managed by the office of the State Treasurer and administered by Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, provides financial assistance to public safety officers who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a line of duty injury, and to family members of the public safety officers who have been killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.

Senator Westlund’s new webpage has a brief background about the fund, explaining exactly how the fund helps fallen public safety officers and how Oregonians can help support the fund.

The Public Safety Memorial Fund applies to family members of police officers (including reserves), corrections officers, fire service professionals (paid & volunteer), parole and probation officers, and youth correction officers. The 1999 law outlines potential benefits from the Memorial Fund to eligible family members, as follows: death benefits, health and dental insurance benefits, educational scholarships, and mortgage benefits.

“This fund would never have been created without the leadership of Ben Westlund,” said Kelly Bach, President of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council. “This law has helped members of the public safety community and given us the piece of mind that Oregon will be there if one us fall in the line of duty.”

Successes of the Public Safety Memorial Fund:

• Over $1 million dollars in aid has been given out in benefits to fallen and permanently injured public safety officers

• The fund has been well managed by the State Treasurer, maintaining a positive balance for nearly a decade without the use of public tax dollars

• Oregon’s Public Safety Memorial Fund has helped 48 public officers or their families

“I am proud of the successes of the Memorial Fund, but I believe we need to make it easier for Oregonians to play a more active roll in this vital program,” said Westlund. “As Oregon’s next State Treasurer I will push to modernize the fund by making it possible to give online donations and will send e-mail updates about the fund to the public, press, and public safety officers”

To donate to the Public Safety Memorial Fund make your check out to “Public Safety Memorial Fund” and send it to “Public Safety Memorial Fund, 4190 Aumsville Highway SE, Salem OR 97317.” All donations to the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund are tax deductible.