It is the purpose of the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation to provide assistance to injured police officers in need. This assistance may be in the form of information on available resources or monetary aid to help ease the financial burden in a time of crisis.

The WPPBF is a 501c3 non-profit organization comprised of sworn law enforcement personnel, retired law enforcement as well as members of the community who are served and protected by these officers. The organization was formed in July of 2011 in the wake of two critical incidents where local police officers were severely injured in the line of duty.

As fund raising events were planned and held for these officers, it quickly became apparent that there was a need for an organization where officers and their families could turn for assistance. Help was needed not only in the form of financial aid but also in having questions answered regarding event planning and coordination, donations, publicity and media relations. The families also needed assistance with health care concerns as well as tax issues and banking needs. This organization exists to assist officers and their families in these and other issues.

The Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation holds community events throughout the year for the purposes of educating the public about our mission, and to raise monies to help ease the financial burdens on those affected. We are a non-profit organization and all funds raised go to injured officers and their families.

The WPPBF does not differentiate between full-time or part-time police employment or union affiliation. Assistance is available to any police officer in the Western Pennsylvania area. The level of assistance that officers and their families receive will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will be based upon the availability of funds and resources. All cases will be reviewed and voted on by the WPPBF executive board of directors.

Often, injured officers and their families are overwhelmed with important decisions that must be made regarding their circumstances and making correct decisions is critical to a successful recovery. Help with understanding available options, or simply letting those affected know that there are people who care and are available for them, is the mission of the WPPBF.

“To all our brethren let it be known, no officer or family shall ever walk alone.”  

Our all-volunteer association is comprised of actively sworn and retired officers including officers injured  on-duty who have retired due to disabling injuries, officers injured on-duty who have returned to work, and officers who have not been injured but believe that injured officers and their families deserve the best assistance possible. Our organization also includes leaders in the community who believe that it is crucial  to support those who protect us.

WPPBF Executive Board

Richard “Griff” Griffith   President

I have been a police officer for 20 years, currently in my 19th year of service at South Park Township. Past departments I worked for include North Strabane Twp, McDonald Borough, Union Township, Ohio Township, Heidelberg Borough, and Hanover Township. My true belief when starting the foundation is that the brotherhood of Law Enforcement is only as strong as helping one another and our families, during times of great struggle or crisis.

Email: rgriffith@wppbf.org

Stephanie Behers   Vice President                                                                      

Andrew "Drew" Volchko   Organization Secretary

Andrew is a veteran patrol officer who has worked for the Bethel Park Police Department since 1996. In 2000 Andrew was traumatically injured during an arrest and suffered severe injuries to the shoulder, arm and back. After extensive treatment and surgeries, he returned to Bethel Park and resumed his patrol duties and critical incident planning. Andrew has seen first-hand the strain and hardships, both physical and mental, that an injury can impose on officers and their families.  He has made a promise to ensure that no officer or their family have to face them alone and is the author of our foundation promise “To all of our brethren officers in need, let it be known, no officer or family shall ever walk alone” Andrew serves as the foundation Recording Secretary and specializes in creating partnerships and organizing others to serve officers in need.

Email: avolchko@wppbf.org

Rob DiPippa   Secretary

I have been a police officer for 17 years. My career started in Mt. Oliver and Edgewood which afforded me the experience in two vastly different communities. I joined the Port Authority Transit Police Department in January 2002 where I am a Firearms Instructor, SWAT Member and, my proudest accomplishment, K-9 Officer to my partner, Arko. I am extremely proud and humbled to be a part of the WPPBF. It’s an honor to be able to be there for an officer and their family during such a critical time in their lives. I hope it gives them a little comfort knowing that the Foundation is there to assist them in their time of need. I get great pleasure in knowing that I can walk hand and hand with fellow brethren to let them know that they will not walk this journey alone.

Email: rdipippa@wppbf.org

Daniel George   Organization Treasurer

I’ve been involved in different aspects of public safety for the past 12 years working as an emergency telecommunicator for the last ten years. I began my dispatching career at South Hills Regional 911 in Mt. Lebanon and worked as a dispatcher for the Brentwood Police Department. I am now currently employed as a telecommunicator for Allegheny County Bureau of Emergency Services. I am also a graduated from CCAC with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. I'm very excited and honored to be given the opportunity to be able to give back to my community and to the men and women that that I work with everyday. It is a privilege to assist their families in their time of need because they sacrifice so much for us so that their loved ones keep us safe. 

Email: dgeorge@wppbf.org

Tim Kreger   Fundraising Treasurer

An officer with the Baldwin Borough Police Department, he is a 1990 graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and has worked for the Borough of Homestead and the City of Pittsburgh. Tim’s strongest contribution to the Benevolent Foundation is perhaps his personal experience and involvement in three deadly force incidents during his career. Tim also brings to the table the experience of chairing or co-chairing nine police related fund raising events over the past year.

Email: tkreger@wppbf.org

John Miniajlo   Executive Trustee

Email: jminiajlo@wppbf.org

Jay Griffith   Executive Trustee

Jay began his career as a police officer in 1987 with Heidelberg PD before working for South Fayette then Peters Township in 1989. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Jay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice. He serves as his department’s Firearms Instructor and is the member’s Union Steward for the Teamsters 205. Belonging to the Benevolent Foundation gives Jay an opportunity to participate in assisting fellow officers in their time of need. “The opportunity to help others and expect nothing in return knowing that someone will have a burden lifted from them, even a small one, is priceless. The profession we have chosen in itself encompasses stress with others that we work with adding more. To be able to provide something to a brother who is down, even if it is just a card, flowers, or a donation of some type to lessen some stress already added to his or her burden is gratifying to me as a fellow officer.” “What I contribute to the WPPBF is my time, my effort, and a “We before me” attitude."

                                        Email: jgriffith@wppbf.org
 

Thomas Shanahan   Executive Trustee

Email: tshanahan@wppbf.org