D
ianne Grossman shifted the 2018 NJ State PBA Convention into overdrive by extolling how
the PBA has infused the efforts of Mallory’s Army to take a bite out of bullying and honor
her daughter, who was bullied into taking her own life in June 2017. As Dianne ratcheted
up day one of the convention by relating the mission the loss of Mallory Rose Grossman
has inspired, she asked the thousand-plus PBA members who packed the Great Hall
at the Boca Raton Resort & Club to “live a bracelet kind of life.”
Mallory’s Army sports blue bracelets brandishing a hashtag that evokes determination,
humility, family and love and was emblematic of the 2018 convention. Endure, inspire,
persevere and all similar expressions captured the essence of this convention, featur-
ing speakers from New Jersey and across the country who took members on a ca-
thartic ride of so many recent events, responses and information essential
to law enforcement officers.
The tale of Mallory’s Army and its connection to the Where Angels
Play Foundation, which has also become a partisan project for the
NJSPBA, ignited a weeklong celebration of the union’s prowess, pres-
ence and purpose. From the moment Summit Local 55 State Delegate
Mike Freeman started the convention by singing the national anthem
with enough gusto to rock MetLife Stadium, to retired Navy SEAL J.J.
Parma culminating the meetings with lessons learned from multiple
deployments in Afghanistan about how to maximize a law enforce-
ment life, it was the kind of highlight-filled convention that has be-
come custom for the PBA the past several years.
In his welcoming remarks, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Brad-
shaw – a 48-year member of the Palm Beach County PBA – laid
down a little perspective that set the tone for this convention.
“We have to make the environment where you work the best
it can be,” he asserted. “We have learned that if we have a prob-
lem, we call the PBA and have them come over to talk and get
it worked out. You have to trust the PBA to do the right thing
so you can all go out there and be problem solvers.”
The convention proceeded to offer constant messages of re-
inforcement, any one of which could become its own hashtag,
and all of which would confirm to Dianne and Mallory that
law enforcement officers indeed uphold a bracelet kind of
life.
Joining Dianne Grossman in her presentation was
FMBA Past President Bill Lavin, who is never short on
inspiration when in front of a room full of public safe-
ty. Lavin’s Where Angels Play Foundation is combining
with Mallory’s Army to build one of the organization’s
signature playgrounds and dedicate it to Mallory Rose.
Lavin’s message regarding his gift from the Angels went
something like this:
“They have PBAs in New Jersey, and that’s why you all
are blessed.”
PBA President Pat Colligan and Executive Vice President
Marc Kovar presented a gift of their own – a $5,000 contribu-
tion to begin the fundraising for Mallory’s playground. Prior to
2
M
Endure…Inspir
NJSPBA Convention pre
words to keep fi ghti
Stories by Mitchell Kruge
Photos by Ed
Brother Mike Freeman sings
a rousing rendition of “The
Star-Spangled Banner.”
36
NEW JERSEY COPS
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric
Bradshaw inspires members with
his opening remarks.
■ OCTOBER 2018
that,
Lavin
had
an
additional gift
for the PBA, pre-
senting Colligan, Kovar
and Past Presidents Tony
Wieners and Mike Madonna
and Port Authority Local 116 Presi-
dent Paul Nunziato with a framed painting
of the famous image of Port Authority Officer Christopher