Survivor Help Network

Officers’ widows turn tragedy to hope

Glendale Star August 2007
By ELIZABETH JACKMAN
STAFF WRITER

Tragedy brought Alissa Scott and Lisa Schultz together, but out of their grief, an organization called “Survivor Help Network” was born. Scott was six months pregnant when she got the news Sept. 10, 2002 that her husband,Phoenix Police Officer Wayne Scott was killed in a motorcycle accident
near Thunderbird Road on Seventh Street while en route to a local hospital to assist with a fatal DUI investigation.

It would be almost two years before fate brought her together with Lisa Schultz, whose husband, Phoenix Police Officer Don Schultz, who was a master diver, drowned May 10, 2004in a canal in North Phoenix while searching for evidence in a murder case. He died two days later. “We talked on the phone several months before we met,” Schultz said. “After Don’s death, someone handed me a business card.” One day, Schultz began going through the cards and when she flipped over one card, it read, “Alissa Scott, End of Watch (E.O.W.) Officer Wayne Scott, 09-10-02. If you need anything, just call.” So, Schultz did. The two women fi nally met while attending an interview at the 100 Club, an organization that provides financial support to the families of fallen police officers, after Phoenix Police Officers Eric White and Jason Wolfe were both shot and killed Aug. 28, 2004 while investigating a shooting call at an apartment complex. “I was still emotional, numb and raw,” Schultz said. “I found that Alissa lived close by and we became friends.” Then came what Schultz calls “the three-month rule.” “The time frame seems to be about three months,” Schultz said. “A lot of your support system just goes away and there you are, alone.” Schultz said they began talking about what someone could do to help in the days immediately following the tragic loss of a loved one. “Don was on life support for several days before he died and I was at the hospital,” Schultz said. “I had a one-month old colt, a mare and fi ve horses and my dogs. I had a brand new quarterhorse I jus bought my husband for his birthday March 22.”

visit the Web site

www.survivorhelpnetwork. org,

or call Alissa Scott at (480) 215-2171,

or Lisa Schultz at

(602) 376-2981.

Reach the reporter at

ejackman@star-times. com, or

(623) 847-4615.

We help the families with the little things..........the little things that can seem so big after the death of a loved one.

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News/Events Press	Officers’ widows turn tragedy to hope Glendale Star August 2007 By ELIZABETH JACKMAN STAFF WRITER Tragedy brought Alissa Scott and Lisa Schultz together, but out of their grief, an organization called “Survivor Help Network” was born. Scott was six months pregnant when she got the news Sept. 10, 2002 that her husband,Phoenix Police Officer Wayne Scott was killed in a motorcycle accident near Thunderbird Road on Seventh Street while en route to a local hospital to assist with a fatal DUI investigation. Officer Wayne Scott It would be almost two years before fate brought her together with Lisa Schultz, whose husband, Phoenix Police Officer Don Schultz, who was a master diver, drowned May 10, 2004in a canal in North Phoenix while searching for evidence in a murder case. He died two days later. “We talked on the phone several months before we met,” Schultz said. “After Don’s death, someone handed me a business card.” One day, Schultz began going through the cards and when she flipped over one card, it read, “Alissa Scott, End of Watch (E.O.W.) Officer Wayne Scott, 09-10-02. If you need anything, just call.” So, Schultz did. The two women fi nally met while attending an interview at the 100 Club, an organization that provides financial support to the families of fallen police officers, after Phoenix Police Officers Eric White and Jason Wolfe were both shot and killed Aug. 28, 2004 while investigating a shooting call at an apartment complex. “I was still emotional, numb and raw,” Schultz said. “I found that Alissa lived close by and we became friends.” Then came what Schultz calls “the three-month rule.” “The time frame seems to be about three months,” Schultz said. “A lot of your support system just goes away and there you are, alone.” Schultz said they began talking about what someone could do to help in the days immediately following the tragic loss of a loved one. “Don was on life support for several days before he died and I was at the hospital,” Schultz said. “I had a one-month old colt, a mare and fi ve horses and my dogs. I had a brand new quarterhorse I jus bought my husband for his birthday March 22.” Lisa and Don Shultz On Sept. 18, 2004, Schultz and Scott founded the non-profit Survivor Help Network (SHN) whose goal is to assist surviving families of fallen law enforcement officers with day-to-day needs, providing relief from household issues and concerns, enabling families the ability to deal with their loss. Types of services provided include housecleaning, landscape service, pool service, small and large animal care, meal service and groceries, errand- running, baby-sitting service, carpet cleaning, keepsake jewelry, hair needs, dry cleaning service, handyman, grief counseling, long distance calls to family, gasoline, home security systems, Realtor services and other needs. “Because we are only activated when tragedy strikes, we also started a second program, Hugs-n- Horses, an equine therapy program that helps children and adults deal with their feelings after suffering a tragic loss,” Schultz said. At 5 p.m. Sept. 29, the West Valley Chiefs’ Association will be sponsoring a gala fundraising event benefi ting SHN at Arrowhead Country Club, 19888 N. 73rd Ave. “It is the West Valley Chiefs’ annual banquet, this will be our second year,” Police Chief Steve Conrad said. “Last year, it was in Litchfi eld Park. We hope this year will be even more successful and raise more money for the SHN than last year.” The event is open to the public. Tickets are $75 for an individual seat or corporate tables sell for $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000. There will be a silent auction with items such as weekends at resorts, jewelry, artwork, pottery and Coyotes hockey tickets. “Last year I was the winning bidder on an outstanding auction item,” Conrad said. “I had two gentlemen come over to my home and cook a gourmet dinner. I hope they are there again this year.” Master of Ceremonies for the dinner will be Rich Dubek from Channel 12. Schultz said they are still arranging for a keynote speaker. Conrad said the West Valley Chiefs’ Association heard a presentation about the organization about 15 months ago and talked about what they could do to support it. “This is an opportunity for all 10 West Valley police departments to help the SHN, who support all of our departments should the need arise,” Conrad said. For more information about the event, auction item donations or to purchase tickets. visit the Web site www.survivorhelpnetwork. org, or call Alissa Scott at (480) 215-2171, or Lisa Schultz at (602) 376-2981. Reach the reporter at ejackman@star-times. com, or (623) 847-4615.