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FREEDOM, after a decade of confinement!

Sgt. Joe Latarski said he received the best Christmas gift of his life in December of 2007. It was this Christmas gift, a 1993 Ford Econoline Van equipped with a lift and special seating to accommodate his powered wheelchair, that Latarski said, “gave me the freedom I have not had in ten years.”

Little did Sgt. Latarski realize the numbness and tingling in his hands that he experienced ten years earlier would be the early signals of a debilitating disease. In 1987 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and his life was changed forever. Since the American with Disabilities Act ( ADA) was yet to be established, Sgt. Latarski had to conceal his disease from his employer, the Inkster Police Department. Sgt. Latarski soon required arm braces to walk and was forced into an administrative position. Along with the passage of the American with Disabilities Act and the generous donation of sick days from fellow officers at the Inkster Police Department allowed Sgt. Latarski to continue working and retire in 1997.

In retirement Sgt. Latarski’s medical condition worsened. He progressed from utilizing arm braces to a manual wheelchair to his current means of transportation, a powered wheelchair. Although Sgt. Latarski feels fortunate to be mobile he still felt “like a prisoner” as he had to rely on public transportation. Often times he could not obtain transportation at night, on weekends, or holidays.

There is no way I can describe what being a prisoner in your own home is like unless it has happened to you” Latarski says. “I could only go out when absolutely necessary and most times that was to the doctor's office. Since this glorious Christmas gift I have attended my granddaughter’s 6th birthday party, gone out to dinner with my family and done some shopping. I have not been able to perform any of those activities for years!”

Continued... Click here to read the complete article....

Welcome

Thin Blue Line of Michigan
(Mission)

The Thin Blue Line of Michigan is a non profit organization, which exists to provide assistance in the areas of financial, legal, benefit recovery, counseling, funeral stipends, college stipends, medical costs, medical equipment and other areas of hardship to the families of injured, personal illness, disabled or deceased members of the law enforcement community in addition to Firefighters, Dispatchers, Corrections, EMT, EMS and Administrative Clerks.

(Active Members/Extended Assistance)

Definition of an active member: Any individual associated with the law enforcement community, i.e., Dispatcher, Corrections, EMT, EMS, Firefighters, Clerks, and other law enforcement staff who are participating in the current membership program to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan.

(Non-Participating Members/Limited Assistance)

Definition of a nonparticipating member: Any individual and/or their department or agency that doesn’t participate in the Thin Blue Line of Michigan’s current membership program.

(Retired Members/ Defined Assistance)

Definition of retired members: Retirees of the law enforcement community as defined above, i.e., Dispatchers, Corrections, EMT, EMS, Firefighters, Clerks, and other law enforcement staff.

The Thin Blue Line of Michigan receives and administers funds according to the guidelines set forth in section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Codes.

Membership Program

(What it means to be a member . . . )

*Your membership makes you part of a large support network, assisting others and their families every day who are injured, disabled, suffering from personal or terminal illness or killed in the line of duty.

*You become eligible for the provision and assistance of services in the areas of financial assistance (up to $500 per month), legal review and assistance, counseling services, benefit review and recovery, funeral stipends, college stipends and coverage for other areas of hardship.

*Assistance with members’ personal illness and health care matters including illness and health care of a spouse and children.

*A $25,000 Personal Life Insurance policy is provided for both on duty and off duty death

*Analyses of the members work and personal benefit coverages will be provided upon request at no cost to protect both the member and their family against insufficient coverage for life events.

Additional Benefits available to members . . .

*Long Term Disability Coverage is available for both 30 days or 180 day waiting periods. (See membership brochures for costs)

*A custom Will & Living Trust including pour over will and more will be available at the modest price of $450.00.

For only 33 cents per pay protect you and your family during times of hardship with a $25,000 Personal Life Insurance policy in addition to the other services provided by the Thin Blue Line of Michigan. In addition have the satisfaction of knowing that you are assisting other members and their families during times of duress.

Methods of becoming a member . . .

  • Payroll Donation
  • Monthly Debit from account (ACH)
  • Annual Check
  • Credit Card

    • Click here for a printable Membership Application.
    Click here for a printable Automatic Bill Payment form (ACH Debits).

    IF YOU ARE A MEMBER SHARE THIS PROGRAM WITH OTHERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN!!!

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