Cops Who Care originally started with just a few Wickenburg area police officers passing the hat to buy a needy child a Christmas gift. That desire to help grew to develop the organization as we know it today. Cops Who Care was officially founded in 1984 and earned its 501(c)3 soon after.  

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The core of the organization is made up of police officers, active or retired, from the Wickenburg Police Department and other local agencies. However, the organization can boasts an amazing support system of volunteers ranging from other first responders, public safety personnel and citizens within the community.

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Then around 2010, the future of Cops Who Care was in question. The officers and other
volunteers had become overworked and it was decided that if another group of
officers/volunteers did not step forward, the group would be disbanded. While the activities were farmed out to various groups, no one made a commitment to the organization and it was decided to disband.

In September 2010, with the blessing of then Chief Wes Bauer, the Wickenburg Police
Department started Holiday Heroes which would provide the same function and activities as Cops Who Care. Volunteers operated under the impression that it didn’t matter what the organization was called, as long as it provided the services needed in the community.

Eventually, it was decided to return to the original name and logo and the organization has been Cops Who Care since. It is great pride that the organization has continued on for forty years and flourishes with the support and partnerships of the community. 

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The success of an organization like Cops Who Cares doesn't reside with one person but a community as a whole. Thus Cops Who Care wishes to express with sincerest gratitude to our donors, volunteers and supporters to make the organization what it is today.