Category: Member Stories

John Berlanga

John Berlanga of CCI was a member of CPOF for 20 years until his retirement.  On February 6, 2023, John passed away.  CPOF was there to help his daughter with burial expenses. Below is a photo of John and his daughter on his graduation day.

The Deadliest Day in San Quentin’s History

Before the beginning of CPOF, jails and prisons across the United States experienced one of the deadliest years in it’s history.   On August 21, 1971, San Quentin Prison, expereinced the deadliest day in it’s history. The prison lost three officers that day, Sergeant Jere Graham, 39; Officer Frank DeLeon, 44 and Officer Paul Krasenes, […]

American Correctional Association

This past week, CPOF had the honor of attending ACA’s 153rd Congress of Correction August 10-13, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA. This was a valuable time to not only learn more abot what ACA is doing for Corrections in various parts of the country, but to also share what CPOF is doing for Correctional Staff.   […]

PROJECT 2000 XXXIV Memorial Service

CPOF’s annual memorial service, held at PROJECT 2000, took place on June 16, 2023. Our National Honor Guard team was joined by honor guard teams across the nation and Canada to pay honor and tribue to those correctional staff who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the public.   The Soldiers Memorial Military Museum is a state-of-the-art museum facility in downtown St. Louis owned […]

Isabella Riccione – Scholarship Recipient

Our very own New York Field representative Patrick Gallaway presented Isabella Riccione with her CPOF Scholarship. Patrick (also a member of our National Honor Guard Team) had this to say about his interaction with Isabella: “Isabella was very appreciative and thanked for the scholarship.  She’s looking forward to her last year at this college  completing […]

Sharday Johnson – Scholarship Recipient

We want to extend a huge congratulations to Sharday Johnson on her scholarship and continued success in her education!   Dear Rachel Lee and CPOF Foundation Board of Directors, On behalf of me and my family, thank you so much for the scholarship award money.  I know that the CPOF does great things for those in […]

Matthew Tidman – MCI-Shirley

In August of 2022, Corrections Officer Matthew Tidman at MCI-Shirley was assaulted by an inmate. The inmate picked up a piece of exercise equipment, came up behind Officer Tidman and hit him repeatedly.  Officer Tidman had been with the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MADOC) for 10 1/2 years.   Officer Tidman was flown by medical […]

The impact of PROJECT 2000 and CPOF

If you talk to anyone that volunteers with CPOF or is passionate about what the foundation does and you ask them why, most times, you’ll get the same answer back. “I went to PROJECT and it changed everything.”  PROJECT 2000 and the impact it has on people is something that can only be experienced. It’s […]

Emma Jones – Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Emma Jones! Another scholarship recipient for the 2023 year! Emma writes: Excited to receive a CPOF scholarship for her Senior Year at Boise State University. Thank you for all you do to support corrections families!

Lisa Wells – Scholarship Recipient

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to you for choosing me as a recipient of the Dave Romay Scholarship. I have been employed with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for 24 years. In 2019, I transitioned my duties to the facilities’ mental health department as a social service counselor.  I […]