Memorial Golf Tournament for Jarrod Martinez

On Friday, September 10, Region VI of the California Narcotic Officers’ Association will be hosting a charity golf tournament at the River Course at Alisal, in Solvang. This event will be in honor of California Highway Patrol Officer Jarrod Martinez who died while on duty in a traffic accident in Los Olivos on October 29, 2009.

The event is sponsored by law enforcement agencies and private businesses throughout the Tri-County area. The proceeds from this event will be donated directly to the C.N.O.A. Survivors Memorial Fund in Jarrod’s name.

Tragically, each and every year, in the State of California, ten to twenty law enforcement officers lose their lives in the line of duty. The survivors of our fallen officers have informed us that the family’s immediate financial need is for funds to cover food, travel, lodging and burial expenses. Insurance and pensions are not received until many months after the death of their loved one.

Due to the unforeseen expenses accumulated by the family of an officer who met an untimely death, the California Narcotic Officers’ Association has established a “Survivors Memorial Fund” to help subsidize these expenses. This immediate financial assistance is vital to the well being of the family members during the shocking first days following the death of an officer. The next time you watch television or listen to the radio and learn that a police officer has been killed; this Memorial Fund will already be in the process of making an immediate contribution to the family. Since its inception, the Fund has assisted more than 175 families in their time of need.

The California Narcotic Officers’ Association is comprised of over 7,000 peace officers in the State of California. CNOA, a non-profit organization, administers the only Memorial Fund that provides immediate financial assistance to the families of all California law enforcement officers who have unselfishly sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Golfers will begin arriving at 8:00 am, with a tee off time of 9:00 am. An Awards Luncheon will follow after the tournament, which is estimated to start at 1:30 pm. Businesses or individuals who wish to be a sponsor by donating to the event can contact Eric Koopmans by phone at 805-689-2379 or email enk0320@sbsheriff.org.