Assisting police administrators in preparing a comprehensive and up-to-date line-of-duty death protocol.
Available both on CD ROM and in a LIVE SEMINAR, "THE UNTHINKABLE": MANAGING THE POLICE FUNERAL is an education resource for law enforcement leaders facing the logistical demands of a line-of-duty death.
"The "Unthinkable" program was assembled by Sgt. John Cooley (Retired).
A 30 year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, John managed over 24 line-of-duty funerals and 60 police funerals during his 10 years as Department Funeral Coordinator for the LAPD.
"THE UNTHINKABLE": MANAGING THE POLICE FUNERAL puts John's years of experience to work for your local department.
- If you don't have a funeral protocol, this program will help you assemble one.
- If the protocol you do have is outdated, this program can help you bring it up to date.
In addition, Cooley will help you consider the hundreds of decisions involved in providing a dignified, traditional and 
CLICK TO GO TO BLOGrespectful police funeral. Topics include: the line-of-duty death notification, funeral protocols, the need for "defusing" debriefings and one-on-ones following critical incidents such as law enforcement suicide, officer disability, and officer-involved shootings.
Throughout his career - and into retirement - Cooley has dedicated himself to raising the professional standards by which departments honor and lay to rest our fallen heroes.
As John explains, it is an immensely complicated task:
"A line of duty funeral involves myriad activities, events, tasks, services, and ceremonies. It typically involves over a hundred topics to be reviewed, evaluated, modified, applied, managed, and coordinated, all on a strict time-line. All of this occurs simultaneously with ensuing criminal, traffic, or death investigations, and all during a time of collective shock and grief for the entire agency. The funeral planning manager should be as capable as the incident’s lead investigator."
"THE UNTHINKABLE": MANAGING THE POLICE FUNERAL
is available in two training formats:
CD ROM or LIVE SEMINAR
1. CD-ROM: Planning for the Unthinkable: Managing the Police Funeral
We invite you and your key staff members to review this CD-Rom compiled by Sgt John Cooley, in collaboration with other agencies possessing an established record for excellence in this field. In addition to providing a comprehensive line-of-duty protocol, this CD-Rom offers guidance from John Cooley for adapting your protocol to fit the needs of your local department and community.
Follow This Link To Download an order form to request a free PLANNING FOR THE UNTHINKABLE. CD-Rom
2. Live Seminar: The Unthinkable: Managing the Police Funeral
OFFICER DOWN CRISIS RESPONSE is proud to sponsor John Cooley’s live training seminar, “The Unthinkable: Managing the Police Funeral”.
Through this seminar, John has shared his extensive experience and people-oriented insights with police administrators and chaplain across the country. Bringing into special focus issues that are seldom discussed - and often overlooked - by agencies amidst a line-of-duty death crisis. John walks participants through the myriad of decisions involved in developing a comprehensive Line-of-Duty Death Protocol.
Bring this seminar to the law enforcement community in your area, so that your department can be prepared well in advance of a crisis.
Follow this link to download "THE UNTHINKABLE" LIVE SEMINAR REQUEST FORM
THE UNTHINKABLE: MANAGING THE POLICE FUNERAL: "Whitepaper"
Follow this link to download a full overview (inluding CD and Seminar Request Forms) for THE UNTHINKABLE: MANAGING THE POLICE FUNERAL.