U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on Apr. 29 that its Survivor Advocates are supporting the families of fallen colleagues during National Police Week, which takes place each May. The agency holds a Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony in Washington, DC, to honor those who have died in the line of duty.
The initiative is intended to reaffirm CBP’s commitment to the families of officers who have lost their lives while serving. According to the agency, "Our Survivor Advocates help CBP deliver on our fundamental promise: 'You will always be part of our CBP family.'"
Survivor Advocacy was established in 2018 with the goal of providing long-term support for families after a line-of-duty death or suicide. While other support teams assist with funeral and memorial services, much of their involvement ends after these events. Survivor Advocates remain engaged with families as long as needed, helping them navigate paperwork and access benefits quickly by coordinating with Retirement and Benefits specialists.
The program also connects survivors with crisis intervention resources, grief support services, scholarship opportunities for children, and mental health assistance through both CBP programs and community organizations. During annual memorial ceremonies, advocates facilitate meaningful engagement between surviving families and agency leadership.
CBP describes its Survivor Advocates as "the bridge that connects CBP with the families of the fallen." The agency encourages service-minded individuals interested in joining this work to visit its internal website or USAJOBS for current opportunities.
CBP says that through these efforts "the sacrifices of our fallen are honored and their families remain a cherished part of the CBP community."
