Organization aims to help law enforcement officers and their families

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Amanda Claas understands the worry law enforcement spouses and families experience. 

"When you sign up as the spouse of a police officer -- and through talking with other wives and other family members -- you find out that you always think of the worst case scenario, but there’s so many in betweens that people don’t think of the daily, 'My husband witnessed something horrible,' dealing with that and the stress that brings into the house," she said. 

As the wife of a police officer, she's experienced that on her own. 

"When you think about it, the officer's family is really the shock absorber," she said. 

Claas founded Southeast Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers, Inc. to bring together law enforcement officers and their families. 

"A lot of people ask 'How’s the officer doing?' 'They’re doing great, they’re doing fine' or 'They’re down and out,' but they never ask, 'Hey, how’s your wife handling this?' or 'How the kids holding up?' So we want to make sure the family doesn’t get lost," Claas said. 

Especially, after the deaths of four Milwaukee Police Officers within about a year of each other. 

"This year has really been just a horrible, horrible year," said Claas. 

Southeast Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers, Inc. has five main objectives: scholarships for children of fallen officers, recognition of officers and their families, holiday meals for working officers, annual events, and regular meetings. 

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