For police officers, facing every day dangers is just part of the job. But, when the dangers of the job or life hit, one group stands ready to help.

The Escambia County chapter of Fraternal Order of Police could become one of law enforcement’s best friends. FOP President Bryan Davis said the newly organized group has already helped one member.

“We have a police officer in the county that is going through a difficult time facing cancer,” Davis said. “We have already been able to provide some financial assistance for them because of fund-raising we’ve already done.”

Formed in October 2010 and officially chartered as a state organization in

December 2010, the group is still seeking members to help get the organization off to a running start.

“Right now we have 21 members in the group,” Davis said. “We’re hoping to have 50 members by October. We’ve had one fund-raiser and will be having more in the future to help meet the needs of our fellow officers and their families.”

Through the contributions made by businesses, churches and individuals, the group is moving forward with its dream of being able give financial assistance to fellow officers and their families who may be in need.

“We are here for the purpose of representing and supporting police officers in our county,” Davis said. “We want to be able to help each other when times are tough. We want to be there for an officers family if they become unable to work because of an illness or injury.”

Davis said the group would also be able to step up to care for a family if an officer is killed in the line of duty.

“We want to be someone that families can rely on if their loved one is killed in the line of duty as a police officer,” Davis said. “It’s a comfort to know that if something happened to me there is a group of my fellow officers who would see that my family is taken care of.”

Davis said the FOP is open to any law enforcement officer in the county regardless of their employing agency.

“We want law enforcement officers throughout the county to become a part of this organization,” Davis said. “We have several members representing Brewton and some from Flomaton. We’d like to have more members join us from the Atmore and Poarch community of law enforcement officers.”

The chapter has installed officers for the group that includes four local trustees and a state trustee to represent the group at state functions.

Davis serves as president of the group with other officers including Travis Shoemake as vice president; Geoff McGraw as second vice president and chaplain; Andrew Casey as secretary; Travis Minchew as treasurer; local trustees Russell Clausell, James Hicks, Nicholas Stanley and Hal Parker; and

Adam Johnson serving as state trustee.

“Adam will be attending the State Fraternal Order of Police conference to represent our group,” Davis said. “The conference will be held in April.”

Davis said any Escambia County law enforcement officer is invited to become a part of the group and can get more information by calling him at the Brewton Police Department at 251-867-3212.