Applicants Welcome
Application Due Date: January 31, 2025
The Peter Lawer Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of this legendary police officer who was one of the founding members of the Northern Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association (now the Ohio PBA). Pete was a dedicated police officer and family man who worked tirelessly to protect the rights of the men and women with whom he served. He was also a major force in the founding and development of the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society® (GCPOMS).
Each year, during the annual Police Memorial Commemoration, the GCPOMS awards a scholarship in Pete’s name to a police officer furthering his or her education, or a student pursuing a degree in law enforcement or a related field, and planning a career in law enforcement.
Those interested in being considered are encouraged to submit a scholarship application, along with a letter stating their educational and career objectives and proof of attendance/acceptance at a college/university. Applications must be received by January 31 in order to be eligible for selection for the same calendar year.
The scholarship committee will keep applications on file for review, then make its recommendations to the GCPOMS Board of Directors, which will, in turn, make the final determination of the year’s recipient, and the amount of the financial award. Decisions of the board are final. The scholarship can be awarded to the recipient for up to two (2) years.
Applicants must reside in one of the following counties: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina or northern Summit. Go to the News page for updates on recipients.
Please note: On May 1, 2001, the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society® learned that several colleges and universities, including Antioch College, Kent State University, and Wright State University have hosted rallies for Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1981 for the brutal killing of Philadelphia police officer Danny Faulkner. These universities have provided a forum for a convicted murderer of a police officer to plead for clemency.
As a result of their actions, the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society® does not provide scholarship dollars to students attending any of the above listed colleges/universities, or any others who may come to our attention for supporting anyone convicted of the assault or murder of a peace officer.
