Dear IAPE members and sponsors,

As final preparations are made for this issue of The Evidence Log© to go to press, there is a cloud of concern hovering over our country that is as real as the commitment of our government to free the Iraqi people and protect our own nation and its allies.

No matter how noble the reason for a war may be, the effect on our lives is no less disconcerting, the courage of the brave souls putting themselves in harm's way is no less remarkable, and the pain of those who lose loved ones is no less devastating. Hopefully by the time you receive this magazine the war will be over, peace will be restored, and the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be small in number.

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and other loved ones, along with our sincere appreciation for the sacrifice they and their families have made to keep our nation free and safe. May we welcome home with joy those who return, even as we mourn the loss of those who are no longer with us.

Also at this time I want to recognize a person who is not only a very special friend, but a property and evidence professional who has improved the lot of hundreds of her peers. She has had a tremendous impact on the professionalism of Property Room personnel in the state of Texas, and her influence has spread even beyond state borders.

In 1997 I had the pleasure of teaching an IAPE property management training class in Plano, Texas. The classroom was packed with property professionals from over 75 departments throughout that great state.

During one segment of the class I was trying to emphasize the importance of regional or state property room associations formally or informally organizing as problem-solving consortia to address, and hopefully solve, property room problems and issues. Before I knew it, one of the class attendees was sitting in the back row and making pitches to the other members of the class on how important she thought it was that property officers in the state Texas get involved. Within minutes a roster was being passed around the room, and that roster became the core membership of what subsequently became TAPEIT, the Texas Association Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians.

About the same time I realized that the person in the back row wasn't really sitting, but was standing amongst her seated peers. If you know Koleen Dean of the Hurst Police Department, you know the truth that great things come small packages. For the past six years Koleen has been President and Past President of TAPEIT, and has taken the lead in that organization's rapid membership growth.

The reason this is the time mentioning Koleen is that it is a magic time in her career. I'm delighted to announce for those of you who know Koleen that she recently taken an extremely well earned retirement after 28 years of service to the Hurst Police Department.

Congratulations and best of luck, Koleen, from me and from all of IAPE. - You really have made a difference. 

Sincerely,