dot.YOU: Police Benevolence Fund

THE STORY: As of Friday, a month remains until the anniversary of the fatal shootings of three Odessa Police officers. Still, the families of Cpls. Arlie Jones Jr., Scott Gardner and Abel Marquez haven't seen any of the $492,752.08 raised in a benevolence fund.

THE LINK: www.oaoa.com/news/families_19758___article.html/jones_hendrick.html

THE POLL: How should the police benevolence fund be divided?
>> Evenly among three families: 98 percent (46 votes).
>> More to families with children: 2 percent (1 votes).
>> More to families with children, including stepchildren: 0 percent (0 votes).

YOUR COMMENTS:
>> texasmom: "I think the money should go to whatever MINOR children were living at home at the time of death whether they are biological or step. If there were no chilren then the parents of these officers get the money. It SHOULD be divided evenly...by 3. Just because one family has more children should have no significance on the distribution of funds. If there are adult children, step or biological, and no surviving spouse, then each of those should receive an equal amount of the 1/3 alloted.
"These men died heroes and it's a disservice to their memories to be squabbling over who get's what and how much. Those letting their greed override the needs of the families should be ashamed."

>> ganjagoddess2006: "Thoughts and prayers go out to each of these families; these men were doing their jobs, and gave their lives for it. The community must be grateful for the jobs they did, or there would be no find to split.

"It should be divided evenly...1/3 for each. Just because one family decided to have more children than the other shouldn't make a difference, Jobs don't pay you more just because you have more children than your co-workers.

"The minor children should be taken care of first, their needs and education should come before any thing else, and if they lived in the home with the officers, then it shouldn't matter if they were step-children or biological children, he still took care of their daily needs while he was on this earth.

"Only after the children are taken care of, the families can split whatever is left among themselves in whatever agreement they can come to. These families need to remember that this isn't money that is "owed" to any of them, this is money given out of the kindness of the communities' hearts to show the appreciation for the job the officers did and the sacrifices they made. Don't make a nasty fight out of it, appreciate it!"

>> odessan08: "No matter when or how it is divided it will always be a problem to someone!"