The DEA maintains a charitable fund — the DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund — to tend to the health and financial needs of DEA members, their spouses, and children.  One of the Fund’s primary functions is providing health benefits and assistance with excessive medical bills.  Currently, 48 families of deceased NYPD Detectives have their health benefits premiums covered by the Fund.

Additionally, when any active DEA member dies, the DEA provides a $10,000 funeral expense to the Detective’s family, and then provides full DEA health benefits to the surviving spouse and children until the youngest child reaches the age of 19. 

The DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund was also a conduit for 9/11 police and fire relief, and the DEA collected and distributed over 1.2 million dollars to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice when the World Trade Center was attacked and destroyed.

The DEA maintains a number of trust funds on behalf of the children of those killed in the line of duty:

When two of our undercover Detectives, James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews, were shot and killed on Staten Island on March 10, 2003, the DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund immediately established the March 10th Undercover Fund, a scholarship fund for the five children they left behind.  This fund assists with the educational needs of the children of these two courageous police Detectives.

With the tragic loss of Detectives Patrick Rafferty and Robert Parker, shot and killed in the line of duty on September 10, 2004, the DEA similarly set up educational funds for the three children of Det. Rafferty.

The union established The Carrington Fund for the benefit of Niya Carrington, the young daughter of NYPD Detective Sean Carrington, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 19, 1998.  The fund is set up to help provide for Niya’s higher education. 

Recently, the DEA set up trust funds for the two young daughters of Det. Dillon Stewart, shot and killed in the line of duty on November 28, 2005, and for Tyler Ann Zadroga, the young daughter of widower Det. James Zadroga, who passed away in January of 2006 from illnesses related to his work on the World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts.
 
The DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund additionally gives scholarship awards to deserving children of DEA members.  These awards are selected in a random drawing each fall at the union’s annual dinner dance.  Awards are given in memory of the DEA’s late, beloved Vice President Det. Jack Healy and in memory of our fallen Detectives.
Financial support for the DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund is always gratefully accepted.  The fund has no overhead, as all labor, office space, and expenses associated with operating it are under the auspices of the DEA.

The Fund is financed through donations from other foundations, corporations, individual civilian supporters, and donations made by representatives of the law enforcement community, including the DEA’s own generous membership.

Members of the Service can show their support by purchasing the promotional items the DEA produces and sells at our headquarters building at 26 Thomas Street, Manhattan.  Shoppers will find high-quality shirts, hats, pins, and other items emblazoned with the trademarked DEA logo and Detective’s gold shield.  Proceeds from the sale of these items benefits the DEA’s Widows’ and Children’s Fund.

City workers can become bi-weekly supporters of the DEA’s Widows’ and Children’s Fund through payroll deduction with the Combined Municipal Campaign (CMC).  Donations can be as small as one dollar ($1.00) per payday.  The DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund’s CMC code number is 1979.   Federal employees can also contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).  The Fund’s CFC code number is 79797.

The DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund can also accept select new product donations that can be either raffled or auctioned off for the Fund at one of our events, such as our Winter Convention or Summer Picnic.  We can also use toys or other children’s items that can be distributed to children at one of the many events handled by the DEA’s Entertainment or Public Relations Committees.

The DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity and all donations to the Fund are tax-deductible.  Donations can be earmarked specifically for any of the above-mentioned trusts or simply sent to the Fund in general by writing a check or money order payable to the DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund.

Please mail donation(s) to …

The Detectives’ Endowment Association, Inc.
26 Thomas Street
New York, NY 10007
Attn: Widows’ and Children’s Fund

To all those who have given so generously to this Fund throughout the years,
we sincerely thank you.