The POAT provides assistance to local, state, and federal officers and their families. In times of need, when all other resources have been exhausted, POAT steps in to provide support. While maintaining the proper concern and respect for the privacy of the recipients, we feel justifiably proud of our achievements and wish to highlight some of the assistance POAT has provided.
A Miami-Dade Police Department officer's home became engulfed in flames while his two-year-old and three-year-old sons were asleep inside. The three-year-old became tangled in his bedding trying to escape and suffered from second and third degree burns. He required hospitalization and therapy. The fire destroyed the sons' bedroom, all of their belongings, and resulted in smoke and water damage throughout the rest of the house. POAT helped this officer pay for damage to his house and for medical expenses that were not covered by his insurance.
A Florida Marine Patrol officer, diagnosed with chronic heart disease, required a double heart valve replacement, triple by-pass surgery, and the insertion of a pacemaker. This emergency surgery had to be performed by a specialist located at the University of Alabama. POAT provided the air ambulance which transported the officer to Alabama. The operation was a success.
A Coral Gables police officer was forced into disability retirement by a chronic, debilitating condition. Having spent all of his savings, the officer was struggling to support his family. He turned to POAT for assistance. POAT, along with the Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), helped the officer with living expenses until his retirement became effective.
A South Miami Police Department officer and her husband were raising two sons, ages 10 and 12. The officer took custody of two children, both girls (ages two and six at the time) who had been abused and neglected by their mother, a crack cocaine addict. The officer petitioned the Florida Department of Children and Families and obtained legal custody through a court order. After several months, and repeated attempts, the officer finally managed to obtain some financial assistance. In the interim, the officer and her husband shouldered the responsibility of all of the children's living expenses, including medical care. POAT stepped in to provide assistance to alleviate the financial crises resulting from these additional expenses.
A Miami-Dade Police Department officer, shot in the line of duty in 1981, contracted Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion he received while being treated for the gunshot wounds. As a result of this illness, he developed a progressive degenerative lung disease and could not receive a lung transplant. The officer was confined to his bed. POAT provided the officer with a Web TV that allowed him to continue to communicate with his friends via e-mail. POAT also shared in the cost of a monument and dedication ceremony to rename Survival City at the Miami-Dade Police Department's Training Bureau in his honor. The officer died in March 1997. POAT assisted the family with funeral arrangements and expenses.
A Homestead Police Department officer suffers from renal failure and is receiving dialysis treatments while awaiting a kidney transplant. He has exhausted all of this leave time and has not received a paycheck for several months. POAT is assisting him with living expenses. This officer had a successful kidney transplant and has returned to work. Update on this officer's condition to be posted soon!
POAT provides assistance to families who require ongoing medical treatment and services. Several law enforcement children and their families are faced with diseases and conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, Werdnig-Hoffman syndrome, and quadri paresis. We have assisted these families with expenses related to ongoing occupational, speech, and physical therapy; distinctive treatments; specialized equipment; and necessary medications. The Trust provides support to these special children in hope of easing their pain and helping to create a more normal lifestyle. Click here for instructions and download Application for Benefits.