OPEA

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association and the Correctional Peace Officers (CPO) Foundation visited the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center (LARC) at the request of the OPEA Cal Hobson Chapter to offer support and financial assistance to the family of LARC Training officer, Michele Anderson.  Anderson died of injuries suffered after being hit by a drunk driver.

Anderson, employed at Lexington for nearly 20 years, left behind a son, Brandon Anderson.

OPEA’s assistance was requested by long-time OPEA member and activist Samantha Gruszka.  “Sam called and asked OPEA to help Brandon and the family,” said OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger. “We were honored to be asked.  We also immediately turned to the Correctional Peace Officer Foundation and found that Anderson qualified for CPO’s catastrophic assistance.”

“I am very thankful were quite surprised by these donations and then very thankful for their assistance,” said Monty Anderson, Michele’s brother.  “I have heard of the OPEA, but didn’t know much about them—they are a great organization to belong to.  Our family thanks you and this facility for all the things you have done.”

CPO’s National Director and Board Chairman, Glenn Mueller and CPO Representative Richard Loud visited LARC to personally present Brandon Anderson a check

Mueller and Loud both have extensive corrections experience.  Mueller, a founding member of CPOF, began his career in corrections as a Correctional Officer retiring as the Warden of Folsom State Prison in California.  Loud has 32 years in uniform, serving in Rhode Island’s Department of Corrections before coming to CPOF.   

CPO provides financial assistance to the next of kin of any DOC staff member who has been killed by an offender in the line of duty. They also provide financial assistance to staff members, such as the Anderson family, when faced with an extremely difficult time in their lives. Catastrophic assistance is available to any DOC employee who is faced with a hardship that is out of the ordinary, such as a death of an immediate family member who is living at home, terminal illness, a house fire, or a natural disaster.