WINTERSVILLE — Knowing that thorough training can make the difference between life and death for law enforcement officers and the citizens they serve, a local group has formed to assist them in accomplishing that.

Leaders of the newly formed Upper Ohio Valley Fraternal Order of Police Associates Lodge 102 said they know funding for such training can be very limited, particularly for smaller township departments, so they have set out to raise money for that type of instruction.

Stover noted FOP Associates lodges are composed of individuals and any other community members with a desire to support the men and women who take a vow to serve and protect.

“Our parent lodge is 97, so everything we do will be for its members,” she said, noting FOP Lodge 97 consists of more than 80 active-duty law enforcement officers from Jefferson, Harrison and Carroll counties.

“We will be filling the gaps the departments can’t fill,” said Dale Holcomb, a trustee for the group.

Numbering about 15, the group’s members have been active, holding monthly gun bashes to raise funds and planning a motorcycle poker run for June 22.

To help raise awareness of its goals, its leaders have established a Facebook page and, with support from Riley Petroleum, enlisted photography studios McGinnis Made of Steubenville and Joe Albert Studios of Canton to take photos of simulations of the type of training the group hopes to provide.

Stover said the training could range from first aid to building searches and Ed Fouts, a Wintersville police officer, has been tapped to coordinate it.

Stover said the law enforcement officers in Lodge 97 have been very supportive of the group’s formation, which involved the development of bylaws for approval by state FOP leaders.

Stover said through its affiliation with the national lodge, the group may seek grants to support lodging and transportation costs for local officers attending training sessions held away from this area.

In addition to Stover and Holcomb, its officers include Chris Robinson, vice president; Catherine Fabian, treasurer; Heather Hayes, secretary; and Sheila Holcomb, trustee.

They have made plans to add other prizes to their monthly gun bashes, which are held at FOP Lodge 97’s headquarters on Kragel Road in Richmond, and welcome donations for an auction to be held during the poker run.

Stover noted those planning to participate in the latter event can order T-shirts up to May 25 through its Facebook page.

Participants can sign in at 11 a.m., and bikes will leave the lodge at noon and return at 5 p.m.

There also will be a 50-50 drawing and food and drinks.

Stover encourages anyone interested in joining the FOPA to visit its Facebook page, email FOPA102@outlook.com or write to FOP 102 at P.O. Box 2593, Wintersville, OH 43953.