The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund
About John Petropoulos
John Petropoulos was born on May 13, 1968 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He obtained his Diploma in Criminology from Mount Royal College and moved to Abbotsford, B.C. to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 1995. John married his girlfriend of eight years, Maryanne Pope, in July of 1996 and then fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer with the Calgary Police Service in October of that same year.
Constable John Petropoulos passed away in the line of duty on Sept. 29, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and succumbed to brain injuries. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger. He was 32.
About the Memorial Fund
After his death, several of John’s recruit classmates set up the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) and raised monies through the sale of memorial pins to fellow officers. Subsequent pin sales, grants, fundraisers and ongoing donations continue to sustain the Fund.
Our safety initiatives offer people tangible tips they can implement in their workplaces and on the roads to help ensure emergency responders make it home safely to their families after every shift.
The JPMF was incorporated as a non-profit society in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Dec. 29, 2005. It was officially registered as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency as of March 14, 2011. The legal name is the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund Society and the registration number is 80727 5870 RR0001.
Mission Statement
We strive to eliminate preventable workplace fatalities and injuries to emergency responders by educating the public about its role in helping to keep these essential workers safe on the job.
Board of Directors
Maryanne Pope
Maryanne was married to John and is the Board Chair of the JPMF. Maryanne is the author of A Widow’s Awakening and also writes short stories, essays, play scripts and screenplays. She is the Founder and CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions Inc. and lives in Sidney, B.C.
Dean Krupa
Dean Krupa has been a part of the fire service since 1998 and has spent the last 5 years of his career as a Community Safety Officer with the Calgary Fire Department (CFD). He also sits on the JPMF’s Board of Directors. An avid outdoorsman, Dean spends his free time skiing, camping, hunting and fishing but is also passionate about music and enjoys playing drums with the CFD Pipes & Drums.
Cliff O’Brien
Cliff O’Brien is an Inspector with the Calgary Police Service and he also serves as a Director with the JPMF. A founding member of the Fund, he was a good friend and classmate of John’s.
Glenn Laird
Glenn Laird was also a founding member of the JPMF and a recruit classmate with John in 1996. Glenn has worked in the Tactical Unit of the Calgary Police Service for several years and prior to that he worked in Forest Lawn and Downtown. He is currently the JPMF’s Treasurer.
Kristin Atkinson
Kristin Atkinson, a stay-at-home mom with three children, has been friends with Maryanne for over 25 years. She has worked for the Fund as an administrative assistant for years and recently joined the JPMF’s Board of Directors. “I knew John well and am honored to have been doing part-time work with the JPMF for about the past three years,” says Kristin.
About the Logo
The original JPMF logo was created by Colleen Guntner, a graphic artist from Chilliwack, B.C. and a friend of John’s. The updated logo was created by Bryce Beresh, a graphic designer from Calgary. The wolf in the new logo has been reworked for a simpler, stronger graphic that increases legibility when used in smaller sizes.
The wolf is the symbol for the Memorial Fund because it represents what John stood for: leadership, loyalty, strength of character, commitment, wisdom and an enormous sense of family within “the pack” (ie, the police service). The maple leaves in both logos represent Canada, as well as the season of autumn, when John passed away.
Financial Statements
JPMF financial statements are available upon request. Contact Managing Director Ian Wilson at ian@jpmf.ca to receive a copy of the most recent financial statements.
