About Us
The Wayne County Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police was chartered and formed on May 31, 1956. There were thirty five charter members representing law enforcement agencies across Wayne County. The Lodge was designed to improve existing conditions for law enforcement officers.
The advancement of the social, charitable, and educational undertakings among law enforcement officers is of great importance. It was also formed to promote loyalty and allegiance to the United States of America. Additional benefits of the Lodge are to further justice and humanity by means of equality of treatment of all before the law. The Lodge established & maintains a scholarship program for those interested in careers in law enforcement. The Lodge provides and promotes fraternalism and fellowship among law enforcement officers of Wayne County, Ohio.
On May 12, 1970 it was incorporated under the laws of Ohio, as a Corporation for Non-Profit. The founding incorporators were William Carnifax, President. William Keating, Secretary, and Robert Johns, Treasurer. The corporation trustees were James Shelly, Don Starkey and Raymond Burg.
Giving Back to the Community
A few years later the Lodge began a memorial program that included annual services for fallen officers and grave markers for members. It also started fundraising programs to help advance the social welfare of under privileged children through entertainment and gifts at an annual Christmas Variety Show and by providing bike and baseball helmets to youths. A scholarship program was made available for students persuing college courses or degrees in the criminal justice field. These programs help to foster positive relationships and favorable opinions of law enforcement officers in the eyes of young people in the community. With the Variety Show ending in 2014 after a 25 year run, new programs were developed that include a Shop with a Cop, Cops & Kids (our back to school initiative) and a Christmas Shop with a Hero.
The Cops & Kids program provides: Winter coats, shoes, socks and a back pack filled with school supplies to nearly 75 children annually that get to shop with a Law Enforcement officer.
The Shop with a Hero program includes: Clothing, personal care items, and a small gift during the holiday season to more than 100 at risk or in need children as selected by Wayne County Children Services. These children are able to shop with local members of Law Enforcement, Military and first responders. The funding for all our programs is made possible through the many generous donations of individuals and businesses through out Wayne County and our neighboring communities.
We Thank You!
Who We Are
The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions
of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today’s police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.
Members of the FOP are comprised of over 325,000 regularly appointed or elected and full-time employed law enforcement officers of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any agency.
The Fraternal Order of Police is a full service member representation organization. The membership of each local lodge determines the services that are provided by his/her local lodge. The members of each State Lodge determine what services are provided by the State Lodge. The National Fraternal Order of Police provides a wide variety of services.
If you are a regularly appointed or elected and full-time employed law enforcement officer of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any agency, then you can become a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. If you are a family member of a Fraternal Order of Police member you may join the FOP Auxiliary. If you are a supporter of Law Enforcement you may join the FOP Associates. Please contact your local Fraternal Order of Police lodge who will assist you through the membership process.
What Is the Fraternal Order of Police Associates (FOPA)?
The FOPA is a civilian affiliate of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Our members are friends and families of law enforcement Officers, responsible and respected business persons, professional men and women, and citizens from all walks of life—people willing to devote a portion of their time and efforts toward assisting the various law enforcement agencies of our communities, states and nation.