Ithaca College

Bill Chapin Memorial Fund

The Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management is in need of assistance to help honor a fallen officer. Over the course of the past year, Public Safety has been working with the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Memorial Association toward the nomination of Sergeant William J. Chapin to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM), which honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

We are pleased to announce that Sgt. Chapin’s nomination has been accepted. Our office, along with local law enforcement and surviving family members, have been invited to participate in a week-long “fallen officers” memorial as part of National Police Week in Washington, D.C., during which Bill’s supreme sacrifice will be honored. His name will be formally dedicated to the NLEOM wall on May 13, 2015, at the 27th Annual Candlelight Vigil.

Some of you will remember that Bill, who served with the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management for four years, fell to his death on March 15, 1986, while attempting to pull victims to safety during a gorge rescue in Buttermilk Falls State Park. Please take a few moments to view this video, which tells Bill’s story.

Sgt. Chapin’s surviving family members include his brother Carl Chapin and sister Joanne Talamo (and son), who have requested to participate in the dedication. It is customary for the fallen officer’s agency to provide assistance with regard to travel, lodging and other accommodations throughout the event. As you might expect, these expenses will well exceed what our office will be able to contribute, particularly at this point in the fiscal year.

We are asking for donations from the campus and local communities to help pay for the family’s expenses—every little bit will help, so we hope you will give this serious consideration.

Checks should be made payable to Ithaca College and sent to Michelle Jaskula, Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management, Ithaca College, 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. We would like to have donations in hand by Monday, May 4, 2015. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (607) 274-3353.

We thank you in advance for your support and assistance in this endeavor to ensure that Bill’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Terri Ae. Stewart
Director and Chief, Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management