SCLEOF 10-42 Initiative

The 10-42 Initiative

Purpose

The law enforcement profession is one that is steeped in tradition. One such tradition is the use of “Ten Codes” on police radio. Law enforcement officers originally used “Ten Codes” in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s to communicate over the radio using as few words as possible. The codes, “10-4” and “10-20” quickly worked their way in to American Culture and remain a part of our everyday vernacular in the Twenty-First Century.

One “Ten Code” that is not as familiar to the general public is “10-42”. This particular code is used to indicate an officer’s end of tour. While 10-42 is most frequently used when an officer has completed his tour of service for the day, it is also used in conjunction with funeral proceedings when an officer has been killed in the line of duty.  In accordance with law enforcement tradition, law enforcement agencies that lose an officer in the line of duty will often coordinate a time at the end of the funeral proceedings to perform the officer’s final radio transmission. At that time, a dispatcher from the officer’s department will call the officer’s badge number out over the loud speaker three times and ask the officer to respond. Having received no response, the dispatcher then announces the officer is now “10-42” and continues to give the date on which the officer ended his tour of duty.

Obviously, this can be a very emotional time for everyone involved. For some, “10-42” represents a time of great sadness. While the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Foundation (SCLEOF) will certainly grieve the loss of a fellow law enforcement officer, we have resolved that “10-42” will be a call to action for us. We will take the initiative to serve and care for the fallen officer’s family as they are a part of the larger law enforcement family in South Carolina.

When a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, there are often federal and state benefits that are directed to the officer’s family. Those benefits, however, are not immediate and can sometimes take months to get to the officer’s family. The SCLEOF recognizes this need and understands that the officer’s family will have immediate financial need. Therefore, the SCLEOF will make every effort to deliver a check in the amount of $10,000 to the family of a SCLEOA Member who has been killed in the line of duty within 72 hours of notification.        

Where do the Funds Come From?

The law enforcement profession is one of the most called upon professions in the work force today, yet rarely receives the recognition and appreciation it deserves. That is, at least, until a tragedy occurs. Through events like September 11, 2001 and the Boston Marathon Bombing, law enforcement agencies across the country are starting to see that there are segments of the general public that not only respect the law enforcement profession, but also deeply appreciate the sacrifices that are made on a daily basis.

The SCLEOF is looking for individuals and corporations who want to show their respect and appreciation through a financial commitment.  We are looking for citizens and corporations alike who are willing to contribute $100 annually toward The 10-42 Initiative.  

Maybe you are a current or retired law enforcement officer who understands what it is like to go to work and know that you may not return home. Maybe you are a citizen who wishes to express your sincere thanks for the many sacrifices that law enforcement officers make every day. Whoever you may be, we need your help to ensure that our brothers and sisters in law enforcement can do their jobs with the peace of mind that should they not return home from work that their family will be provided for.

It should be noted that the SCLEOF is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization and donations can be considered tax deductible. All of the money raised through The 10-42 Initiative will go directly to the SCLEOF’s Line of Duty Death Fund and will be used for the sole purpose of providing survivors of a line of duty death with a financial benefit. 

To make a donation simply contact us at (803) 781-5913 or by email at [email protected].