Operation Santa's SLED

10/15/2026

As executive director of Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D., I keep a record of every family we support. Today, I looked at the “circumstances” column for this year’s nominations, and my heart is breaking.

Of the eight families listed, six have lost a parent to su***de. The other two are facing the serious illness of a child or spouse.

Each entry represents a family. Children missing a parent. A spouse trying to keep going. Families facing things no one should have to face alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone. Even when you cannot see a way forward, there are people who care and want to help you find one. You do not have to figure everything out before asking for help.

Please reach out to someone you trust. Tell them how you are really doing.

You can call or text 988 for support.

For law enforcement officers and their families, Safe Call Now offers confidential support 24/7 at (206) 459-3020. Calls are answered by current or former first responders who understand the challenges that can come with the job. You can call when you are struggling or simply need someone to listen.

Please keep checking in on the people you care about, and remind them that support is available. We know families and friends can do everything they know to help and still lose someone to su***de. My hope in sharing this is that someone who is struggling will see it and reach out.

You matter. Your life matters. Help is available.

10/14/2026

No-Shave November is almost here. The competition may be getting serious, but as the reel says, some results may vary. 😂

If your agency is choosing a cause for this year’s campaign, we’d love for you to choose Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. Your support helps us stand behind New York law enforcement families facing illness, injury, loss, and other life-changing circumstances.

Ready to join us? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/UxUE4PfB7iJ3ETbBA

Drop the razor and let it grow with us! 🧔💙

10/14/2026

Our heartfelt condolences go out to this officer’s family, friends, and colleagues at the Suffolk County Police Department.

Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. stands ready to support this family during this difficult time and in the months and years ahead. Please know that you are not alone and your family will not be forgotten..

It is with the heaviest of hearts, the Suffolk County Police Department announces the death of one of our members.

Our thoughts are with the member’s family, friends and members of the department during this difficult time.

10/14/2026

We look forward to presenting "After the Ceremony: Sustained Support for Law Enforcement Families" at the New York Women in Law Enforcement - NYWLE conference.

Our panel includes surviving spouses who have experienced line-of-duty death and su***de loss, an officer recovering from a serious line-of-duty injury, a retired NYSP Employee Assistance Program coordinator, and the co-founder of Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D.

They will share what helped, where support fell short, and the lasting impact an agency’s response can have. Together, we will discuss practical ways agencies and coworkers can stay connected and support families in the months and years that follow.

Support cannot end after the ceremony. Thank you to NYWLE for making space for this important conversation. ❤️

10/12/2026

Two generous donations are helping us bring Christmas support to the families behind the badge! ❤️🎄

A heartfelt thank you to Michael Orticelle and the Troopers Memorial Fund on Long Island, who each donated $500 to Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D.

We spend up to $500 on Christmas gifts for each child, in addition to providing a cash donation to each family. We already have 11 children we are supporting this season, with additional nominations pending. Nine of these children lost a parent to su***de. These donations mean so much to us and will help us support these families during what is a very difficult time of year.

Families have told us that while the gifts are greatly appreciated, knowing that others care and continue to stand with them means so much more.

If you or your agency would like to help us support these families this Christmas, please consider making a donation. Every contribution helps us provide gifts and financial support while reminding these families that they are not forgotten.

Nominations are open until November 5. We support Police, Corrections, Probation & Parole, and Public Safety Telecommunicator families facing hardship due to the death, serious illness or serious injury of the officer or telecommunicator, their spouse or their child. If you know a family who could use our support this Christmas, please visit our website for program details and nomination information.

Visit https://opsantassled.org to nominate a family, donate or learn more.

Michael and everyone at the Troopers Memorial Fund, thank you for standing with our families. We are so grateful for your generosity. ❤️

10/11/2026

🎅 In just 8 weeks, we will begin our Christmas gift deliveries!

For law enforcement families facing serious illness, injury, loss, or another life-changing crisis, the holidays can be especially difficult. Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. helps bring some joy to their children and reminds these families that they have people standing behind them.

❤️ Know a family who could use our support? Nominations for our 2026 Christmas Program are open through November 5. We welcome nominations for families of Police, Corrections, Probation and Parole officers, and Public Safety Telecommunicators throughout New York State.

Please share this video to help us reach families who may need us. Your donations also help make these special deliveries possible.

Nominate a family or donate at:
https://opsantassled.org

Standing behind the families behind the badge.

10/11/2026

End of Watch Remembrance

Today we honor Detective William “Bomber” LaShomb
Syracuse Police Department
End of Watch: October 11, 2020

Six years have passed since Bomber’s death, but he remains deeply loved and remembered by his family, friends, and fellow officers.

A decorated 13-year veteran of the Syracuse Police Department and a U.S. Army Iraq War veteran, Bomber served his community and his country with courage and dedication. We also remember him as a husband and father whose loss continues to be felt by those who love him.

An End of Watch remembrance is about more than marking a date. It is about continuing to say Bomber’s name, remembering the life he lived, and recognizing the family that carries his memory every day.

Today, we remember Bomber and stand with Jamie, his sons, Billy and Mason, and all those who continue to feel his absence.

Read Bomber’s Behind the Badge Memorial Tribute here:
https://opsantassled.org/behind-the-badge-memorials/ -william-%E2%80%9Cbomber%E2%80%9D-lashomb-tribute

Jamie Lee Vallon Smith Syracuse Police Benevolent Association Syracuse Police Department

10/07/2026

🎅 Our 2026 Christmas Program nominations are open for law enforcement families across New York State!

Families tell us this program means much more than receiving gifts. The gifts help, especially when money is tight or a family is busy caring for a sick child or loved one. What often means the most is seeing how many people show up for them.

The children love watching the first responder parade arrive at their home with Santa delivering their gifts. For their families, it is a reminder that they have not been forgotten. 💙

Our Christmas Program is not based on income or financial need. It is about showing support and welcoming families into our OSS family and community.

That connection continues beyond Christmas. Families are invited to our Pedal for Presents Memorial Bicycle Ride & Picnic, their children become eligible to apply for the Tammy Criscone Memorial Scholarship, subject to program requirements, and law enforcement loved ones they have lost are included in our memorial. We stay connected and stand ready to help when they need us.

We also offer a virtual Support After Su***de Loss group for surviving spouses and significant others, with plans to include other family members in the near future.

If you know a law enforcement family facing serious illness or injury of an officer, spouse, or child; line-of-duty death; su***de loss; death of a spouse or child; or another life-changing crisis, please consider nominating them.

Eligible families include Police, Corrections, Probation & Parole, and Public Safety Telecommunicators.

📅 **Nominate by November 5, 2026.**

We also need your help making these Christmas wishes possible. Last year, OSS supported 28 children, including 15 facing their first Christmas after the loss of a parent. We expect the need to be just as great, if not greater, this year.

Please consider a donation or supporting OSS through your agency’s No-Shave November or holiday fundraiser.

👉 Nominate a family, donate, or learn more:
https://www.OpSantasSLED.org

Please share this post to help us reach families who could use our support.

Standing behind the families behind the badge. 💙

10/05/2026

Four families have already been nominated for Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D.’s Christmas Program this year. All of the children in these families have lost their law enforcement parent to su***de. Sadly, we know more nominations are pending.

Please help us remind these children that they are not forgotten. They are seen. They are remembered. We will continue standing behind them and their families, ready to step up when they need us.

If your agency is planning a No Shave November campaign or another holiday fundraiser, please consider choosing Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. as the beneficiary. Your support helps us provide Christmas gifts and assistance to New York State law enforcement families facing loss and other life-changing circumstances.

Let us know you plan to participate by completing this form:
https://forms.gle/fhm5M94VCxQqaY2p8

You can also make an individual donation at https://OpSantasSLED.org.

Please share this post to help us reach others who may be able to support these families.

Thank you for helping us stand behind the families behind the badge.

10/02/2026

In case you are looking for a new workout! 😂