The board of our all-volunteer organization is comprised of actively sworn and retired officers. It includes officers who have retired due to on-duty disabling injuries, officers who have returned to work after an on-duty injury, 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 it is crucial to support those who protect us.
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Andrew “Drew” Volchko
President
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.
Drew is heading up the newly created WPPBF United Services Alliance (USA), in conjunction with the IATWF. He has earned his International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) certifications in individual and group crisis intervention and peer support and in trauma to addiction response.
Email Drew
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William Parham
Vice President
I am a Chief Pilot for a Fortune 500 company and have been traveling the world for more than 25 years. I live in Peters Township Pennsylvania, where I have resided for the past 16 years. I learned of the WPPBF when my daughter (Alyssa Parham) was raising money to purchase ballistic vests for officers, and we met Rich Griffith and Drew Volchko at one of their fundraisers. We knew instantly that we wanted to be involved with the Foundation. I feel blessed to be involved with a group that truly will never let a fallen or injured officer and family walk alone.
Email Bill
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Tim Kreger
Fundraising Treasurer
A retired police officer of 27 years and now working in the private sector, Tim 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 having chaired or co-chaired nine law-enforcement related fund raising events over the past year.
Tim is a member of the WPPBF’s United Services Alliance (USA), and he has earned his International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) certifications in individual and group crisis intervention and peer support. Tim also has been certified through Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) in line of duty death response and family assistance.
Email Tim
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Carla Kearns
Organization Secretary
Sergeant Carla Kearns is a twenty-three year veteran with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement from Point Park University. Sergeant Kearns is certified in Individual and Group Crisis Intervention, Advanced Crisis Intervention, Team Evolution Management and Crisis Management from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. She created and implemented the Pittsburgh Member Assistance Program (PMAP), the Peer to Peer support team for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. She is responsible for managing the team, continuing education for peers, and guiding officers through critical incidents. She has several certifications in criminal investigations including Advanced Interview and Interrogation from John E. Reed and Associates. Sgt. Kearns worked for over ten years with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force. She is the recipient of the Medal of Valor from the FBI.
Email Carla
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Bob Lemons
Executive Trustee
Robert Lemons Jr., has over twenty years of patrol and supervisory experience. He started his career in 1991 as a part-time patrolman in Allegheny County for West Elizabeth and Lincoln Borough. Bob accepted a full-time position in 1992 with the City of Washington Police Department. He worked his way up through the ranks of Patrolman, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and was appointed to Chief of Police in January 2012. Bob has been involved in numerous high incident arrests and multiple incidents involving officer-involved shootings. He is dedicated helping families of fallen officers along with officers who have survived job-related injuries.
Email Bob
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Thomas Shanahan
Advisory Board
As President of Shanahan Transportation Systems, located in the South Hills, Tom is a well-established businessman. He is affiliated with Members Services of the South Hills Country Club (SHCC). In 2011, Tom immediately stepped forward to offer his time, assistance and contacts to help the WPPBF get established. Tom generously has given his time to assist with the annual SHCC “Police Appreciation Day” Golf Outing & Dinner and the annual “Night in Blue” Policemen’s Ball, and he is always there to provide guidance to the WPPBF board.
Email Tom
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Dan Hahn
Advisory Board
Sergeant Dan Hahn (Ret.) started his law enforcement career in 1982 in Deer Field Beach, FL. From there, he moved onto Port St. Lucie, FL. In 1989, Dan came back to PA as an officer for Cranberry Township. In his 29 years in law enforcement, Dan has seen the devastation that police officers and their families go through when an officer is critically injured or killed in the line of duty. Dan was critically injured in 2011, and as he goes through his recovery process, he is proud to be a part of the Benevolent Foundation and being there for his fellow officers.
Dan is a member of the WPPBF’s United Services Alliance (USA), and he has earned his International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) certifications in individual and group crisis intervention and peer support.
Email Dan
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Alyssa Parham
Advisory Board
It all started one night when my dad and I were watching Glenn Beck, and he was talking about how police were getting shot and killed because they couldn’t afford vests. So, I thought of the idea of having a foundation named “Vests for Officers.” I got in touch with someone named Rose from the talk show Quinn and Rose, and she got me in touch with the president of WPPBF, Rich Griffith. Then, the next thing I know, I’m getting sworn in as a trustee by Congressman Tim Murphy. There will be many great things that will come out of this foundation and Vests for Officers.
Petty Officer Third Class Parham is proudly serving her country, her family and her community.
Email Alyssa
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Dean Dryer
Advisory Board
Dean came to the WPPBF after the loss of his brother, Officer John David Dryer of the East Washington Borough PD. When “David” was killed December 19, 2011, Dean experienced first hand the trauma and needs of a grieving family. After his brother’ death, Dean was looking for a way to give back which led him to become more involved in the WPPBF. Having experienced a line of duty death in his own family, Dean brings to the WPPBF a special point of view.
Email Dean
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