A message from Mitch and Janice Barwick
The Barwick Newton National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund was established in 2004 to assist with transportation and other expenses incurred by family members of fallen officers who travel to Washington , DC to participate in National Police Week for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial dedication in Washington , DC. The Fund is named to honor our son St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Barwick and honor Missouri Trooper Michael Newton, both of whom were killed in the line of duty.
The Fund was established when a trooper’s family underwent financial hardship in order to travel to Washington to honor their loved one during National Police Week. Officer Barwick’s father, Mitch and Trooper Steve Davis set himself a goal of raising just enough money to cover the trooper’s family expenses. The idea of a Fund was born. The family of officer Barwick wanted to start a Fund to honor their son and help families of fallen officers. Missouri Trooper Steve Davis helped by contacting Bill Gibb with the Transportation Research Project (TRP) who helped set up the Fund.
The Fund operates to prevent other families from experiencing similar difficult circumstances when the names of their loved ones are added to the memorial. The Fund is unique for its singular focus on paying family members of fallen officers travel expenses so they may participate in the memorial recognition ceremonies the year their fallen officer is honored. The families who are to be potential recipients receive submissions from law enforcement organizations and others who work with law enforcement. A selected group researches potential recipients. Families are then chosen by the Selection Committee, which is composed of representative from National Association of Police Organization, members of national law enforcement organizations and a family member of a fallen officer. The Fund works closely with Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS) and the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund in Washington , DC . All recipient families stay in COPS-approved lodgings and are encouraged to take part in all COPS programs.
100% of monies raised for the Fund are used to cover travel and other expenses incurred by the families of fallen police officers. We are a 501 (3) c tax- exempt fund.
Recipient Susan Mann, Wife of Officer William Mann
“I want to thank you so much for making it possible for my son and I to come to Washington , D.C. and honor my late husband and my son’s father. We could not have come if you had not provided the way. It was a wonderful blessing to the both of us.”
Please see our website for more information www.barwicknewtonfund.org