Samantha Poore, National President

Samantha is the surviving spouse of Officer Sean Poore of the California Highway Patrol, EOW 10/23/2018.

Sean and Samantha have 3 incredible children who all miss him dearly.

Sean took his own life while on duty. Since that day, Samantha has never stopped fighting for him. She has been an advocate for mental health for all, with an emphasis on first responders; this fight also includes honoring first responders who have died by suicide.

Championing a message that says “it’s okay to not be okay,” Samantha hopes to change the stigma on mental health within law enforcement so that one day no person will feel the hopelessness that Sean did; ensuring that no family will have to experience the deep loss she, their children, and many others, now carry.

Danny Overley, Chair 

Danny brings years of experience in the law enforcement community through his involvement with the National Fraternal Order of Police.  

President/Treasurer of Professional Police Officers Credit Union

Retired Deputy Chief of the Indianapolis Police Department.

Brian Stahl, Director/Treasurer/Secretary

Brian is the surviving co-worker of Officer Cesar Villanueva of the Irving (TX) Police Department, EOW 2/2/2016. 

Brian is a 15-year police officer currently working as a Firearms Instructor at Fort Worth (TX) Police Department. Brian has over 23 written commendations and is the 2020 recipient of the Silver Star for Bravery from Police Hall of Fame. 

Antron Brown, Director  

Antron dreamed of driving one of the world’s most iconic race cars, but never truly believed that one day he would, let alone win three world championships. “Even some of my own family members told me that I could never be a professional racer. I even doubted myself, that I would someday be a Top Fuel or Funny Car racer, because it just seemed to be so far out of reach.” His vibrant personality, perseverance, intelligence, athleticism and deeply held religious convictions helped plot the course to getting a job driving in NHRA drag racing’s ultimate category of Top Fuel in 2008. Four years later, the New Jersey native was crowned the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel Dragster world champion. He went on to win two more world championships, 2014 and 2015. Antron has 66 career wins between Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle racing. His career best speed is 333.66 mph.

Antron was selected to NBC’s 2013 edition of “TheGrio’s 100” list that features African-American industry, sports and community leaders. He was also featured on a segment of NBC’s Today show to help celebrate Black History Month.

When asked about being an inspiration to kids he said, “I never sat back and thought about it, but if I can be an inspiration for kids out there – not just African-Americans, just Americans period – and give them somebody they can look up to that’s positive, who actually never settled in life for things that people told them they may not ever achieve, then it makes this accomplishment even more special.”

Antron lives in Pittsboro, IN., with his wife, Billie Jo, and their three children. He is active in various community activities including church, NHRA Jr. Drag Racing, Boy Scouts and other youth-related programs. He helps motivate high school and college students through numerous speaking engagements around the country for his partners, Matco Tools and the U.S. Army.

Antron said he is honored to help support the families and co-workers of law enforcement officers who die by suicide.

Shelley Jones, Executive Director

Shelley graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, and went on to work as a Missouri Probation and Parole Officer. In 1993, she was hired as a patrol officer by the Columbia (MO) Police Department and 10 years later joined their new Motorcycle Unit. She retired as an Assistant Chief after 21 years of service.

In 2014, upon retiring from law enforcement, Shelley joined National C.O.P.S. as the Director of Operations. In April 2020, Shelley, with the blessings and support of C.O.P.S., started a new non-profit organization whose mission is to provide peer support and mental health support for families of officers who die by suicide.

Shelley is a surviving co-worker of Columbia Police Officer Michael Goldberg who died by suicide in 2007 and Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden who was killed in the line of duty in 2005.

Dawn Layman, Vice Chair/Law Enforcement Liaison

Dawn has served in law enforcement for over 30 years in both Pennsylvania and Kansas, currently serving as Chief. She has served as a Commander in both the Patrol and Support Services Divisions as well as Special Projects and Information Technology. Prior to her current assignment, she served as a Major in the Patrol Division and was responsible for Patrol Operations. In addition, she has lead the Field Training Program, Bike Patrol Unit, Directed Patrol Unit, Recruiting and Hiring, Defensive Tactics, and the Professional Development Program. As the Staff Services Division Commander, she was responsible for Dispatch/Communications, Radio Technicians, Public Service Officers and Police Department Information Technology. Dawn has been an active member of National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), serving as the organization’s President (2016-2017) & (2011-2012). In 2015, she was named the NAWLEE Women Law Enforcement Execuve of the Year. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, and the Kansas Peace Officers Association. In 2011, she served as a member of the Innovation Team of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Executive Session on Police Leadership. Dawn earned her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas and was a member of the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University (PA). In 2016, she received the West Chester University Distinguished Alumni Award. She has also earned twelve credit hours in pursuit of a Ph.D. in criminal justice. She is a graduate of the 59th session of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police and a graduate of the 251st session of the FBI National Academy.

Dr. Anastasia Pytal, Mental Health Liaison

Stacy is a licensed psychologist and former law enforcement officer.

She was awarded her Diplomate in Police Psychology by the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology. Her area of professional interest and expertise is working with police officers and their loved ones on issues pertaining to trauma, depression, anxiety, and officer wellness. She is the founder of First Responder Resilience Center. In addition to acting as the Area Clinician for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Employee Assistance Program, Dr. Pytal works with law enforcement officers from over thirty departments across New Jersey. She presents nationally at law enforcement conferences. Dr. Pytal has advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Complex Trauma, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Jeffrey Warnock, Director

Jeffrey is the Vice President / Treasurer for Police and Firemen's Insurance Association. He retired after 21 years from the Omaha (NE) Police Department as a Detective.  He was previously a Client Service Manager for First Data Services. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.