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Ever since the first one rolled through the streets of Akron, Ohio, in 1899, police vehicles have served multiple purposes. They’re emergency vehicles. They store equipment and gear. They act as protective barriers in dangerous circumstances. They’re mobile offices. Recognizing that, manufacturers regularly introduce add-ons and modifications to further convert vehicles into a key policing asset. Some of the newest products:

Jotto Desk ZRT AR Secure Dual Gun Rack
Gun Control

Jotto Desk engaged SmartLok Technology for its ZRT AR Secure Dual Gun Rack to properly secure long guns during transportation, yet permit access at a moment’s notice. Adjustable polycarbonate butt plates accommodate individual weapon positioning. The lock heads, forged from zinc, include silicone inserts for the AR barrel to help protect from damage and dampen sound during vehicle operation. The gun rack will accept one AR-15 and one Remington 870 in a vertical configuration. MSRP $879.

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SoundOff Signal mpower Exterior Full Size LED Lightbar
Bright Light

Slim, low-profile and powerful describe the mpower Exterior Full Size LED Lightbar by SoundOff Signal. Measuring slightly more than 1 inch in height, each 6-inch module is approximately 50% thinner than the industry standard. That said, it produces between 5.9 and 11.6 watts of power depending on module type — alley, inboard warning and corner. Officers can choose from 66 warning flash patterns, 25 takedown/alley patterns and 11 arrow options. The housing is crafted as one piece from Silicone Clear Duty, which resists gravel pitting, scratching and cracking. Designers improved sealing to block water penetration. A higher UV and thermal stability help prevent yellowing. MSRP unavailable.

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Gamber-Johnson Zirkona Medium Joiner
Supporting Role

What with road conditions, high-speed maneuvers and defensive driving, computers in police cars are subjected to a lot of jolting and jarring. Docking stations need a strong support system for their protection. Items like the Zirkona Medium Joiner with Two Round Mounting Plates along with a Female Threaded Adapter Kit, by Gamber-Johnson, lock in docking stations to ensure that tablets, laptops and cellphones have a smooth ride. The joiner holds up to 6 pounds in a vibrations/mobile environment, and as much as 33 pounds in static conditions. An extension tube creates extra height for adequate sight lines. A quick-adjust handle and X-axis range of motion enables users to tweak positioning. MSRP $56.

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Attack Mats Ballistic Floor Mats
Take Cover

Among the computers, radios and weapons in a patrol car, little space is available for additional items. There’s certainly no room to store a shield up front, which prompted a retired officer to repurpose an item usually found in most duty vehicles. The patent-pending Attack Mats Ballistic Floor Mats appear to be innocuous floor mats that keep the interior floor clean, but with a pull of a handle, the mat comes up and instantly becomes a shield, strong enough to withstand gunfire. Available for both driver and passenger sides. MSPR $1,475.

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Hardwire Transparent Armor Window Insert
See and Be Shielded

No need to compromise vision for safety. The Hardwire Transparent Armor Window Insert provides Level IIIA+ protection against handguns and shotguns. Plus, it’s been crash-tested to ensure it causes no additional harm during a vehicle collision. In case of emergency, a yank on the egress strap allows for quick disengagement. Meanwhile the insert enables drivers to see clearly and operate the original equipment manufacturer’s window. The insert can be installed separately or partnered with the Hardwire B-Kit Exterior Door Armor. MSRP $1,335 for small vehicles and $1,849 for large vehicles.

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Havis Swing Up Device Mount
Stable and Sturdy

The Havis Swing Up Device Mount, specifically designed for 2013–2019 Ford Interceptor utility vehicles, can be positioned for quick reference yet isn’t distracting. Operators can flip it up for viewing, or down when not needed. Swivel it toward the driver or passenger. It stays in place, without permanently modifying the vehicle’s interior, thanks to a positive dual-action latch. The mount itself is made from heavy gauge steel with a black powder coat finish. MSRP $452.17.

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ALABAMA  

• Justin Taylor Billa
• Keith O’Neal Earle
• Silas Goree*
• Benjamin T. McDonald*

ARIZONA

• Jesus Manuel Cordova
• Tyler James Edenhofer

ARKANSAS

• James Edwards Robbins*

CALIFORNIA

• Steven Edward Belanger
• Greggory Casillas V
• George A. Curtis*
• Kirk Anthony Griess
• Ronald Lee Helus
• Tony Hinostroza III
• Toshio Hirai
• William R. Johnson*
• Oscar Adrian Reyes
• Gerardo Andrade Silva*
• Ronil Singh
• Henry Valentine Snowbelt*
• Mark V. Stasyuk
• Daniel A. Todd*
• Ryan Douglas Zirkle

COLORADO

• Kevin Wayne Denner*
• Micah Lee Flick
• Heath McDonald Gumm
• Moses Lovern*
• Matthew Troy Moreno
• Alvin Phippenney*
• Casper Zweifel*

CONNECTICUT

• John M. Bonin*
• Otto Ernest Dobratz*
• Frederick Potter Ellis*
• Walter Greene Jr.
• Kevin Michael Miller

FLORIDA

• Ricky C. Anderson*
• Noel Ramirez Beltran
• Jermaine Thomas Brown
• Bart Dell Broxson*
• Thomas Michael Coulter
• William Jackson Gentry Jr.
• Jorge L. Gil Jr.*
• Adam Edward Jobbers-Miller
• Taylor Fletcher Lindsey
• Tawanna V. Marin
• Larry Emilio Marrero
• Michael David Ryan*
• Charles Frank Scavuzzo*
• Kevin James Stanton
• Lance Christian Whitaker
• Benjamin Lemont Zirbel

GEORGIA

• Anthony Lawrence Christie
• William Jefferson Dorsey*
• George W. Dunham*
• Edgar Flores
• Felix Cullman Graham*
• Chase Lee Maddox
• Francis A. McClelland Jr.
• William J. Orr*
• Michael Wayne Smith
• Homer Stuckey*
• Antwan Dearvis Toney

HAWAII

• Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa

IDAHO

• Kent Donald Swanson

ILLINOIS

• Paul R. Bauer
• Conrad Charles Gary
• Samuel Jimenez
• William R. Karr*
• Eduardo Marmolejo
• Owen Masterton*
• Ernest C. Wehr*

INDIANA

• Benton Hurley Bertram
• Edward Ronald Bollman
• Joseph Alan Cox Jr.*
• Jacob Matthew Pickett
• Robert Shawn Pitts
• Charles W. Schmitt*
• David Alexander Tinsley

IOWA

• Elvin Hickman*

KANSAS

• George Burnau*
• Theresa Sue King
• Robert Kenneth Kunze III
• Patrick Thomas Rohrer

KENTUCKY

• John Brooks*
• John T. Collopy*
• Albert Johnson Franklin*
• Clifford Hall*
• Scotty Hamilton
• Sim Lockard*
• Phillip Lynn Meacham
• Deidre Irene Mengedoht
• Jack B. Mills*
• Charles A. Murchison*
• Preston Pullen*
• Bernard Dean Ratliff*
• James Charlie Smith*
• James F. Smith*
• Robert B. Smith*
• Rodney Scott Smith
• Otis Garnett Thornton*

LOUISIANA

• Benjamin James Drake*
• Christopher Michael Lawton
• Kirt Roy Ricks III
• Jason Michael Seals
• Ayrian Michelle Williams

MAINE

• Eugene Philip Cole

MARYLAND

• Amy Sorrells Caprio
• Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin

MASSACHUSETTS

• Michael Charles Chesna
• Sean McNamee Gannon
• Leon F. Moody*

MICHIGAN

• Glenn Anthony Doss
• Fadi Mukhlis Shukur
• Darren Maurice Weathers

MINNESOTA

• Joseph Brian Gomm
• Olaf Pearson Lofquist*
• William Joseph Lydon*
• Joseph Michael Parise

MISSISSIPPI

• Alcus E. Alford*
• Charles Edward Buck*
• Zachery Moak
• Emmett Paul Morris
• Leann Simpson
• James Kevin White

MISSOURI

• Thomas Jefferson Greer*
• Christopher Ryan Morton
• Aaron Paul Roberts
• Casey Lee Shoemate

MONTANA

• Charles E. Davison*

NEBRASKA

• Halladay B. Pratt*
• Charles A. Ralston*

NEVADA

• Kyle Lawrence Eng

NEW JERSEY

• John J. Brant
• Lawrence Michael Craig*
• Raymond Michel*
• Robert Emmet Nagle
• Christopher Robateau
• Steven John Tursellino*
• Tamby Yagan

NEW YORK

• Gerard A. Ahearn*
• Harry E. Albin*
• William H. Allee
• Sixto Almonte*
• Michael J. Anson
• Curtis Joseph Bako*
• Thomas J. Barnitt
• Patrick J. Boyle*
• Carmine C. Cantalino*
• Megan K. Carr-Wilks*
• Christopher M. Christodoulou*
• Steven L. Cioffi*
• Nicholas F. Clark
• Patrick T. Coyne*
• Kevin Francis Crossley
• Anthony D’Erasmo*
• Pedro Esponda Jr.
• William P. Farley
• James T. Farrell*
• Nicholas G. Finelli*
• Jeffrey W. Francis
• Mark Gado
• Scott N. Gaines*
• Judy Ann Ghany-Barounis*
• Anthony C. Giambra*
• James T. Giery*
• Robert C. Grossman*
• Dave E. Guevara*
• Diane F. Halbran*
• Michael J. Hance*
• Ellwood Francis Hanrahan*
• Michael Vincent Incontrera*
• William D. Kinane*
• William J. King*
• Gary Lee Koch
• Kelly C. Korchak*
• Fred J. Krines*
• Robert F. Larke*
• Michael Lawrence Ledek
• Andrew J. Lewis*
• Christian R. Lindsay*
• Richard Lopez
• Colleen A. McGowan*
• Edward Joseph McGreal*
• Mark Mkwanazi*
• James Gerard Molloy*
• Stephen John Mullen
• John K. Muller*
• Paul Murphy
• Anthony Napolitano*
• Mark J. Natale
• Kathleen O’Connor-Funigiello
• Joseph Cavanaugh Pagnani*
• Marie A. Patterson-Bohanan*
• Ronald G. Peifer Sr.*
• Frank J. Pizzo*
• Dennis Wallace Reichardt
• Christine Anne Reilly*
• George Clay Remouns Jr.*
• John Charles Rowland*
• James D. Russell*
• Charles Robert Salaway
• James A. Schiavone Jr.*
• Peter M. Sheridan*
• Basilio A. Simons
• Edwin Stillwell*
• Robert S. Summers*
• Richard E. Taylor*
• Everett Leroy Terwilliger*
• Sally A. Thompson
• Reginald Umpthery*
• Harry Valentin
• John F. Vierling Jr.*
• Michael B. Wagner*
• William H. Wanser III
• Thomas P. Ward*
• Richard H. Wentz*
• Jennifer A. Williams*
• Kenneth W. Wolf*

NORTH CAROLINA

• Samuel Newton Bullard
• Kevin Keith Conner
• Christopher James Driver
• Jared William Franks
• Alexis Thunder Eagle Locklear
• David Lee’Sean Manning
• Wyatt Outlaw*
• Brandon Carroll Peterson*
• Jason Barton Quick
• Benjamin Derek Wallace

OHIO

• Eric Joseph Joering
• Mathew James Mazany
• Anthony Pasquale Morelli
• Joseph B. Mumford*
• Martin L. Myers*
• Vu X. Nguyen
• Rosa A. Regan*
• George Washington Rockwell*
• Clark Teeple*
• Leroy W. Wade*

OKLAHOMA

• William Harold Briggs
• Timothy Dale Cole Sr.
• Jarate Dewayne Condit
• James Ward*

OREGON

• Malcus Williams II

PENNSYLVANIA

• Mark J. Baserman
• Curtis Alvin Brandenburger*
• Brian Scott Cuscino
• Matthew Steve Forgach*
• Thomas Freeborn*
• Anthony Joseph Gorman*
• Samuel B. Hamilton*
• Maurice Handloff*
• Lawrence M. Johnson*
• Thomas H. Kintzer*
• William H. Knecht*
• Abraham Laster*
• George Washington Lloyd*
• James L. Metz*
• Peter Milligan*
• James Price*
• James Proctor*
• Alex I. Sable
• William Stecker*
• James William Stewart*
• Pliny D. Wells*
• Harry Thomas Yenser*
• Benjamin Franklin Yost*

SOUTH CAROLINA

• John Dozier Altman*
• Terrence Felipe Carraway
• Rollin Cooler*
• John Bennett Cornwell*
• George A. Davis*
• Micheal Robert Doty
• Walter Dellington Evans*
• Cotesworth Pinckney Fishburne*
• Clark Gasque*
• Dale Shannon Hallman
• James Lester Kirk Jr.
• James K. Marshall*
• Hosea Ocala Martin*
• Benjamin Manning Owens*
• Robert Andrew Pettigrew*
• Ellis Andrew Shields*
• Melton James Shields*
• James Richard Snoddy*
• Robert F. Stephens*
• Farrah Burdette Godwin Turner
• W.A.R. Wilson*

TENNESSEE

• Daniel Scott Baker
• D. Bryant*
• Wesley Dunn*
• James Allen Jett*
• James T. Morris*
• John Ulysses Swafford*
• Thomas James Swafford*
• George Trewhitt White*

TEXAS

• Alfred Victor Bonnet*
• Lonnie Verdell Burton
• Samuel Cobb*
• Thalis Tucker Cook*
• Mark Allan Cox
• Encarnacion Cuellar*
• Jarrod Kyle Friddle
• Earl James Givens III
• Richard Wayne Hale
• August Hampe*
• Garrett W. Hull
• James A. Jett*
• Raymond Bradley Jimmerson
• Alman Glen Lanford*
• Edwin Littleton*
• Rogelio Santander Jr.
• David Charles Sherrard
• Mercedes Torres*
• Loren Yalith Vasquez
• Charles M. Whites Jr.

UTAH

• David Paul Romrell
• Dennis Burt Vincent

VERMONT

• Ralph Floyd Peckham*

VIRGINIA

• Benjamin Branch*
• Hunter Anderson Edwards

WASHINGTON

• Derrick William Focht*
• Daniel Alexander McCartney
• Diego Moreno

WISCONSIN

• Charles Freiherr*
• Albert Charles Grosskopf*
• Charles G. Irvine Jr.
• Michael John Michalski
• Lee Sylvester Murphy*

WYOMING

• Adolph Cuny*
• Norbert Tuck*

FEDERAL AGENCIES

• Christopher Todd Bacon
• James Harris Ballenger*
• John L. Bashore*
• Dennis Bonelli*
• Cyrus Butler*
• Frank Eugene Chaffin*
• John B. Cook*
• Brian Lawrence Crews
• Timothy Allan Ensley
• Garrett W. Freer*
• Joseph Irel Hart*
• Christopher David Hill
• Mark C. Johnston*
• George Domingo Joyce*
• Carl Joseph Kalafatich*
• Caleb N. Keith*
• David James LeValley
• Todd James Lobraico Jr.*
• William Anderson Looper*
• Dennis Patrick McCarthy
• Mark Joseph Mikulski*
• George Edgar Morris*
• Melissa S. Morrow
• Marcus L. Parker*
• Scott Ragsdale
• Nole Edward Remagen
• Beau W. Sauselein*
• Edward Joseph Smith*
• Seth Hyatt Stalcup*
• Chase Sabethal White
• Robert T. Williams*
• Thomas Michael Wischerth*
• Josiah M. Woodruff*
• Kristopher David Youngberg

RAILROAD POLICE

• Alfred Noah Eaves*
• Edward H. Green*
• Jack W. Laicy*
• Daniel Francis McCrea*
• Timothy O’Brien*
• Glenn Lafayette Varnell*

AMERICAN TERRITORIES

• Joel Alexis Pantojas Fuentes
• Andres Laza-Caraballo

 

*The officer’s death occurred in a previous year but the story of the officer’s sacrifice was unknown until now.

Your Guide on Where to Eat, Relax and Have Fun at the National Conference

It’s been 14 years since the Fraternal Order of Police held its biennial National Conference in New Orleans. A few weeks after that event wrapped in 2005, Hurricane Katrina blew through, flooding the famed Louisiana city. Now, after years of rebuilding, the Big Easy has gotten its swag back and is ready to welcome FOP members and their families this summer to the 64th National Conference and Exposition.

“A lot of people don’t know it, but the fleur-de-lis was designed as a symbol of rebirth, and that’s what we look like. New Orleans has changed and gotten better,” says Darrell Basco, president of the Louisiana State Lodge, host of the August 12–15 conference at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Established 300 years ago as a trading camp on the Mississippi River, New Orleans has become an internationally acclaimed destination. Every winter, millions of revelers descend on the city to celebrate Mardi Gras; however, there are plenty of reasons to visit any time of year, including all kinds of festivals, big and small.

“Life in New Orleans is always celebrated,” says Basco, deputy chief of the Pineville Police Department in Pineville, Louisiana.

Indeed, stroll down any street of the famed French Quarter and you’ll likely hear the playful tunes of a brass band. Or maybe the jubilant sounds of a funeral procession winding its way toward one of the city’s iconic aboveground cemeteries. Even in the middle of the day, one can hear jazz notes floating through open club doors, often accompanied by aromas wafting from a melting pot of restaurants. After all, music and food are intrinsically associated with the Big Easy.

“Even some of our lodge-sponsored events are based on the music of New Orleans and the tastes of Louisiana,” Basco says.

To make the most of your stay, here’s a sampling of what to eat, see and do when traveling to the Conference.

Bite Into NOLA

New Orleans is known for serving up original flavor profiles at legendary restaurants, and top among them is Commander’s Palace. In addition to receiving seven prestigious accolades from the James Beard Foundation, the Garden District business was named No. 1 in four categories, including turtle soup, by New Orleans Magazine.

The city’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes seafood a staple for many eateries, such as GW Fins, which prints out a new menu every afternoon based on the freshest catch of the day.

If you’re in the mood for a more casual experience, head over to Mother’s Restaurant in the Central Business District for an authentic po’boy sandwich and bowl of jambalaya. Be sure to scan the mementos displayed on the restaurant’s military wall.

In a hurry? Grab a Dat Dog, a popular local favorite. You can try crawfish étouffée, the Son of a Saint Dog with alligator sausage, or improvise by choosing among 30 toppings.

New Orleans is also home to beignets, a fried pastry usually partnered with a strong cup of coffee. Pralines are another local indulgence. Aunt Sally’s has been cooking up the nutty, caramel candy from the same recipe for multiple generations.

Serious foodies can sign up for a New Orleans Culinary History Tour. Historians guide visitors through unique regional tastes and tales at some of the oldest restaurants.

NOLA Nightlife

While the city offers a full menu of delicious food finds, mixologists pour out some eclectic spirits. The Sazerac, for example, may be an old-school cocktail but it remains popular, especially at the Sazerac Bar in the famed Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Want to kick back at a neighborhood joint? Pop into the French Quarter’s Longway Tavern or its sibling Barrel Proof. Just outside the Quarter, you’ll find Meauxbar, which highlights French influences in food and drink concoctions.

Although Mulate’s is considered “The Original Cajun Restaurant,” it’s also a great place in the Arts District to experience the musical culture of Cajun country.

Or enjoy a relaxing evening at the Cuban Crafter’s Cigar Lounge, where rooms are available for private parties. Feeling competitive? Challenge friends to a game of 10-pin at Mid City Lanes Rock ’n’ Bowl, which showcases live music nearly every week.

Activities for All Ages

Beyond food and nightlife, New Orleans also offers plenty of activities that appeal to all ages.

Cruise the Mississippi River on the new Riverboat Louis Armstrong, docked only a few blocks from the convention center. The Satchmo deck is dedicated to the legendary musician, who played on steamers traveling the river before he was old enough to land gigs at clubs in town.

On land, families can play around in Audubon Park, part of the Audubon Nature Institute. Gather for a picnic near the lagoon or playgrounds, or work up a sweat on the tennis courts, along its nearly 2-mile jogging path or on the links of the Audubon Golf Club.

The family also will enjoy the Audubon Zoo, where children can get hands-on with multiple animal encounters and botanical life. At the Audubon Aquarium, visitors can walk through the Great Maya Reef, observe penguin antics and touch sting rays.

For a truly Louisiana outing, take the family to the Insta-Gator Alligator Ranch. Between mid-August and early September, more than 1,000 alligators hatch there, and guests can watch the process unfold in their own hands.

Explore the beauty of the bayou and delta with The Great Delta Tours, which highlights fisheries and natural habitats, Use promo code “FOP” for discounted tickets. You can even paddle around the waterways on your own with a rental from Kayak-iti-yat.

Historical and Cultural NOLA

New Orleans offers visitors a collection of museums. Wander around the sculptures on the grounds of the New Orleans Museum of Art before viewing the galleries inside.

Veterans, officers, family members and history buffs will appreciate the National World War II Museum’s extensive exhibits, enhanced with more than 9,000 personal accounts from veterans who served in all branches and on all fronts.

Travel River Road back to the 19th century. Stop at Destrehan Plantation for guided tours of the historic home and gardens. At Whitney Plantation, learn how the indigo and sugar economy affected enslaved peoples. Meanwhile, the Laura Plantation presents the Créole woman’s perspective with firsthand stories.

Retail sites abound, from the French Market District — home to more than 40 boutique shops and 200 daily vendors at the farmers and flea markets — to neighborhood shops.

Still looking to experience more of New Orleans’ charm? Basco suggests asking local residents for suggestions: “They’ll give you great advice about great places. You won’t have to look too far.”

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For more information, visit www.NOLA2019.org and www.NOLA2019.org/VisitorsGuide.