Law enforcement officers serve and protect our communities. It is an unfortunate reality that many of these officers face work-related risks with the potential for injury on a daily basis. When an injury occurs, it can often times be financially catastrophic especially if they are the sole provider for their family. During their time of recovery, the last thing an officer should have to worry about is how he or she will make ends meet while recuperating.

Founded in 1993, Assist the Officer is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) 3, providing short-term, immediate need financial assistance to peace officers in the Greater Houston area critically injured or disabled in the line of duty.

Assist the Officer serves to fulfill an immediate Financial Assistance Program to assist with financial hardship to those officers prevented to return back to work prior to 30 consecutive days due to catastrophic injury in the line of duty or critical illness.

Assist the Officer is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) 3 and your donation may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Chair – Tim Whitaker

36+ year veteran as Police Officer of the Houston Police Department.  He is a former Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), the President of the Houston Officers Peer Assistance and the 2nd Vice-President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.

Vice Chair – Michael LaReau
1+ year veteran as Police Officer of the Houston Police Department.

Treasurer – Drew Doebbler
Spirit of Texas Bank, Office President – Clear Lake.

Secretary – Gabriela Gregory
Executive Assistant for the Houston Police Benefit Trust and ATO event organizer.

Board Member – Renee Cravens

Sr. HR Manager with Vallen Distribution, Inc.

Board Member – Fulton Broemer
Principal in the law firm of Broemer & Associates

Board Member – Michael Mitchell
Co-Founder of Assist the Officer, Executive Director of First Responders Benefit Trust and retired officer.

Board Member – William Booth

Retired sergeant after 32 years with the Houston Police Department. He also served for 24 years as a director for the Houston Police Officers’ Union and serves on the First Responders Benefit Trust board.

Board Member- Lisa Marino

Executive Assistant at HPOU. 30+ years in Marketing, Promotions and Computer Graphics.

Board Member – Doug Griffith

28+ year veteran as Police Officer of the Houston Police Department. He also serves as Vice President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.

Board Member – Tim Butler
25+ year veteran as a Senior Police Officer of the Houston Police Department. He also serves as Treasurer of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.

Board Member – Luis Menendez-Sierra
12+ year veteran of the Houston Police Department. He also serves as a Board Member of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.

Board Member – Matt Williams
18+ year veteran as Lieutenant of the Houston Police Department.

Board Member – Terry Seagler
19+ year veteran Sergeant with the Houston Police Department. He also serves on the Houston Police Officers’ Union Board and the First Responders Benefit Trust board.

Board Member – Cory Blanks

9+ year veteran assigned to patrol with the Houston Police Department.

Board Member – Tom Hayes


Retired from Houston Police Department after 39+ years, former Vice President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, remains as First Vice President of the Texas Fraternal Police, and Chairman First Responders Benefit Trust.

Board Member – David Vasquez

20+ year veteran with the Houston Police Department assigned to Investigations. He also serves on the board of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.