About Assist the Officer, Houston
Assist The Officer is a non-profit organization providing short-term, immediate need financial assistance for officers critically injured or disabled in the line of duty. As well as providing disaster relief to officers and supplementing veterinary expenses for Retired HPD K9’s. Assist The Officer symbolizes the appreciation for every officer’s dedicated service and commitment to the safety of citizens.
Board of Directors
Tim Whitaker
Houston Police Department
Tim Whitaker is a 36+ year veteran of the Houston Police Department as a Police Officer. He is a former Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), the President of the Houston Officers Peer Assistance and the 2nd Vice-President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.
Gabriela Gregory
Houston Police Benefit Trust
Gabriela Gregory was the ATO Secretary from August 2015-January 2024 before taking on the responsbilities of ATO's Executive Director and Assistant Treasurer positions. She became involved with ATO after she initially started her career with the Houston Police Benefit Trust as a Member Services Representative and now, Executive Assistant. She is also a proud wife of a First Responder and loves supporting the Blue Line family.
Celest Covin
Houston Police Officers’ Union
Celest Covin was initially an Administrative Assistant for the Houston Police Officers’ Union in the early 2000’s but opted to simplify her position in 2005 to fulfill her most important job, mom. During this time, she would periodically help fill any temporary work needs for the HPOU and perform the administrative role for the HPOU’s monthly newsletter (Badge & Gun). In 2019, Celest returned to the office full time as a Member Services Representative with the Houston Police Benefit Trust and then, transitioned to the Houston Police Officers’ Union’s Executive Assistant after Lisa Marino retired in 2023.
Fulton Broemer
Broemer and Associates
Fulton Broemer is the principal in the law firm of Broemer & Associates and practices almost exclusively in the areas of Labor and Employment Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Litigation and Plan Design/Compliance issues, and Risk Management. He's been an active ATO Board Member for 25+ years and donates his time to ATO for legal services to show his support and appreciation to Houston Police Officers.
Lisa Marino
Houston Police Officers’ Union
Lisa Marino retired from her full-time position with the Houston Police Officers’ Union as their Executive Assistant in 2023 to enjoy more time with her retired First Responder husband and grandchildren. She frequently fulfills any temporary coverage needs at the HPOU and thoroughly enjoys visiting the Houston Police Officers she loved serving during her career. She also has 30+ years' experience in Marketing, Promotions and Computer Graphics and donates her time; as well as talents to Assist the Officer.
Michael Crellin
Houston Police Department
Senior Police Officer (SPO) Michael Crellin is a second-generation Houston Police Officer with over 17 years of experience with the Houston Police Department (HPD). SPO Crellin began his career in patrol and progressed through the department to several different assignments, each requiring a variety of skill sets, tools, and knowledge bases. In addition to patrol, his experience includes divisional Hot Spot Teams, Gang Units, and Criminal Investigations. He also served in Gang Division and was assigned to the Texas Anti-Gang Center, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Squad-1 and the Gang Intelligence Unit. SPO Crellin is currently assigned to the department’s Peer Support Unit and now serves as a peer for the Texas Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS). He is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and is a Team Lead for the HPD CISM Team. SPO Crellin is also an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) instructor. SPO Crellin is in active, long-term recovery, having been sober since February 19, 2014. He participates in recovery-related events throughout the Greater Houston Area. In 2020, at the start of COVID, Crellin was one of the inaugural members of Warriors Anonymous, a specialty meeting specific to Military and First Responders which is recognized by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. SPO Crellin is extremely passionate about helping other Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders who also suffer in silence from the terrible depths of addiction and mental health issues. He is always willing to extend a hand for others who are on that dark path and show them there is a solution.