LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ind. -- A local singer has teamed up with families of officers killed in the line of duty to put together a benefit concert to support a program dear to their hearts.
Indiana Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) is comprised of family members who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. They assist families of fallen police officers with a variety of programs, counseling, scholarships and a system of personal support.
Greg Pitts lost his brother, Terre Haute Police Officer Rob Pitts, on May 4, 2018, when he was shot and killed in the line of duty.
READ | Single gunshot to head killed Terre Haute police officer
“You know everybody says it gets easier in time, but I don’t really think it gets easier. I think you just adjust to it,” said Greg.
Officer Pitts’ entire family is still working through the unimaginable pain from his loss, but Greg says the outpouring of community support has helped them as they deal with their grief.
“It’s been real touching, but once everything gets quiet, then you have time to start thinking,” said Greg.
“You know people tend to do a lot during the funerals, but then people tend to go away,” said Cynthia Wizenread, President of C.O.P.S. “With Indiana C.O.P.S., unfortunately, we’re made up of everybody that’s lost somebody in the line of duty so we don’t go away.”
READ | Officers escort son of fallen Terre Haute officer toschool
“That’s what’s nice about C.O.P.S. because you can pick up the phone and call somebody and they know exactly what you’re going through,” said Greg.
Singer Brian Smoot spearheaded the SummitFest concert, where his band and several entertainers will take the stage to help support survivors.
READ | Terre Haute officer killed in shootout honored as a hero
Brian says 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the Indiana chapter of C.O.P.S..
“At the same time, we want to make it a joyous event, where they can celebrate as well and have fun during the event and kind of maybe take their minds away from things as well,” said Brian.
The SummitFest Concert is Saturday, September 1 at the Lawrence County Recreational Park in Springville. The event starts at noon and will last through the evening.
Tickets start at just $10 and all proceeds will go the Indiana chapter of COPS.
“It’s a family that we never wanted to be a part of but are still thankful for at the same time,” said Greg. “Because I can’t imagine doing all of this without any of them.”
MORE TOP STORIES | Conor Daly loses sponsorship over remark his father made over 30 years ago | Man says he was profiled, assaulted by officers outside Indy apartment complex | Family in Geist faces $75K decision over patio that city wants them to tear down | Julia Roberts tied the knot in Marion in 1993 | Suspects ate pizza after killing delivery driver
Top Trending Videos
