Dear Members,

It was good visiting with everyone who was able to attend this years presidents meeting in mid January. While there were no burning issues (not a bad thing) the get-together was well attended and very productive. My favorite portion of the meeting has always been the roundtable discussions. It is heartwarming to hear just how active each lodge is within its perspective community.

I wish to take this time to thank several people; the delegation for allowing me to continue to represent them as president of the state lodge, the state board and Trustee Schmitt for their continued dedication to FOP, and finally Brother Tom Lien for filling the vacated position of vice president. To all of you a huge THANKS!

As we discussed in Sioux Falls I will be contacting the lodges shortly to see if they will be sending a delegate to Washington DC for National Police Week in May. Because this is a national convention year, as a cost saving measure, the state lodge is offering to pay for one member from each local lodge to attend either Police Week (May 11^th through the 17^th) or the National FOP Conference in Louisville KY (August 12^th through the 16^th). I hope to be contacting the lodge presidents in the next month.

A quick update on the granting of PSOB funds to the Bechtold family. Despite the fact that there are many hurdles yet to overcome DOJ has decided to accept the Bechtold’s claim and has forwarded it to the legal review board. On the surface this doesn’t sound like much of a victory however up to 70% of the PSOB heart attack claims have not made it past the initial review by DOJ.

In closing I want to thank you all. The Fraternal Order of Police is over 1,000 members strong in South Dakota and growing.

Keep up the good work and stay safe.

David Fair

President, SD FOP