While Brothers Before Others primary mission is to care for police officers and their families, we have often been presented with opportunities to make an impact outside of the law enforcement community. Recently, BBO Founder/President was contacted by his long time friend, Marta Petrocelli, who was looking for some guidance in regards to her son, Aedan. At the age of 8, her son expressed an interest in becoming a police officer and what better person […]

As Brothers Before Others member and retired NYPD Sgt Delia Cuebas put it, “We all deserve to know how much we are loved and appreciated while we are still here.” So it was, yesterday, for NYPD Police Officer Manuel Vargas. Manny, affectionately known as “Monsta” by his friends a family, a reference to his tremendous power lifting size and strength, is currently battling 9/11 related brain cancer at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. As such, in […]

Since forming in 2014 as a group dedicated to sending flower arrangements to line of duty death services, Brothers Before Others has grown into something so much more. For those within the law enforcement community who would say that the fraternity is dead, well, you’re simply not looking in the right places. BBO Founder/President Michael Burke explains, “What we have become is a home; a place where law enforcement officers can feel safe from judgement, […]

When you consider that the Brothers Before Others team entered in the 2018 New York City Tunnel To Towers 5k consists of over 160 members, many who are traveling from all over the country to run in full uniform on behalf of individuals that were lost in the line of duty, it’s hard to imagine that the team could get even more special. That is, of course, until you meet Zechariah Cartledge. Rather than do […]

Martin Luther King Jr was quoted as saying, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience; But where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” So it is true with Port Authority Police Detective (ret) and BBO member Will Jimeno. Assigned to the Port Authority Bus Terminal Command on 9/11, Will found himself trapped under tons of World Trade Center debris for an excess of […]

Since 2014, Brothers Before Others has been careful to grow its membership slowly. To date, our members consist solely of active or retired law enforcement officers. We are honored and humbled that many of our nation’s heroes have chosen to share their lives, their experiences and their time with other members of this group. Our group is as successful as it is because of the quality of our members. Today, we’d like you to take a few […]

As each anniversary approaches, it’s hard for any American to escape the images of the horrors that played out on 9/11/01. Even 17 years later, for those that lived through that day and lost loved ones and coworkers, finding some measure of personal peace during this time can be a hurdle of epic proportions. One person who is helping countless individuals turn that corner is Brothers Before Others partner, Laurie Tietjen, who founded and heads […]

On Saturday September 8th, 2018, the Sewanhaka High School (Floral Park, NY) football team and Athletic Department held a special halftime ceremony dedicated to the memory of alumnus and NYPD Police Officer Anthony T. Dwyer, who was killed in the line of duty on October 17, 1989. Anthony, who graduated Sewanhaka in 1984, played both lacrosse and football for the Indians, wearing jersey #72 during his tenure. Inspired by retired NYPD Police Officer, Brothers Before […]

Parents who have endured pain or loss as it relates to their children, are among the strongest people walking the planet. (Ret) NYPD/Port Authority Police Officer and Brothers Before Others member Mike Shanahan and his wife, Jennifer, are two examples of this. Within barely a three year period, Mike and Jen lost two of their sons, Brendan Brian and Liam Patrick, before the age of two, to the hands of Alpers Disease. In a show of […]

As a nationally recognized 501C(3) law enforcement charity, the members of Brothers Before Others have done their best to stay out of the political arena. Getting muddied in arguments over political issues rarely accomplishes anything, divides membership and takes away from the “mission”. Civil Servants, as a whole, have the daunting task of being society’s parents. Regardless of how off the wall or inappropriate someone’s actions or words may be, if they pick up their […]