Who We Are
Our mission statement
To support families of fallen NYPD officers
Survivors of the Shield
To Honor and Remember
Survivors of the Shield (SOS) is an IRS approved 501c(3) nonprofit organization that provides important support services to the families of our fallen NYPD officers killed in the performance of their duties.
Board Members:
Kathleen Vigiano
Widow of Detective 2 Joseph Vincent Vigiano
President
James Smith
Widower of Police Officer Moira Ann Reddy-Smith
Vice President
Patti McDonald
Widow of Detective 1 Steven D. McDonald
2nd Vice President
Margaret McDonnell-Tiberio
Widow of Police Officer Brian Grady McDonnell
Recording Secretary
Elizabeth K. S. Campagne
Widow of Police Officer Anthony W. Sanchez
Treasurer
Founders:
Kathleen Murray
Widow of Police Officer Brian J. Murray
Susan McCormack
Widow of a Police Officer Joseph McCormack
Mary Beth O’Neill
Widow of a Police Officer Thomas Ruotolo
Past Presidents:
Susan McCormack
Widow of a Police Officer Joseph McCormack
Barbara Nugent
Widow of Police Officer Kenneth A. Nugent
Grace Russell
Widow of Michael D. Russell
Lana Galapo
Widow of Police Officer Joseph Galapo
Maureen Brinkers
Widow of Lieutenant Jan Brinkers
Lori Gunn
Widow of Detective William T. Gunn
Survivors of the Shield (SOS) was founded in 1988, through the efforts of three line of duty police widows, Kathleen Murray, Mary Beth O’Neill, and Susan McCormack. SOS seeks to serve our families by providing emotional and economic assistance.
Our legislative successes have benefited not only families of fallen NYPD officers, but has reached across the boundaries to FDNY, EMT’s, and all volunteer firefighters throughout the state of New York.
We remember not only the ultimate sacrifice of our fallen heroes, but the sacrifices made every day of their service to the city of New York.
Survivors of the Shield initiated the passage of former Governor Mario Cuomo’s COPS Agenda (Care Of Police Survivors), including the following bills:
- Lifetime pension benefits regardless of marital status
- New York State Memorial Scholarship administered by HESC, offers tuition, housing expense assistance to spouses and children of fallen public safety officers. The scholarship applies to any SUNY or CUNY school. The same amount can be applied toward tuition at any private accredited college in New York State
- An award paid by the Crime Victims Board to assist with funeral and psyocological expenses
- Monuments constructed in Albany and Battery Park City honoring police officers killed in the line of duty
- General Municipal Law Section 205-e amended, which allows police officers and their families the right to sue
- In addition, founders of SOS, Kathleen Murray, Susan McCormack, and Mary Beth O’Neill worked together with the New York State Commissioner of motor vehicles to create and distribute license plates for police survivors. SOS License plates are available to parents, spouses and children of the fallen officer. To apply for a Survivors of the Shield license plate, call 646-827-0500. Coming soon online request.