GALLERY/NEWS
Check back here for articles, pictures and updates on our past and upcoming events.
On February 28, 2025 The LUCAS Foundation was honored by the invitation to be a guest speaker at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center Law and Public Safety Class in Westland. The class is comprised of high school students from all over the area and their instructor, Mr. Anthony Chicko was kind enough to give us a tour of the facility. Very Impressive! If you are retired law enforcement or a police department they could certainly use any surplus gear you could spare.
Students will learn the basics of The Michigan Compiled Law, legal services, law enforcement, dispatch, and emergency management. Students will perform the duties of police and public security officers in simulated learning sessions. Students will use industry specific equipment, such as police cars, protective clothing, communication devices, and public safety hand tools to put theory into practice as they learn the skills necessary to begin a career with a public safety department. Simulations will include patrol, investigation, traffic and crowd control, public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, and court procedures. Advanced students will explore crime prevention, risk assessments, and dignitary protection. Students are exposed to a Chain of Command style of instruction where they are taught to follow orders, work as a team, and practice routine skills on a daily basis.
Licenses/Certifications
National Basic 9-1-1 Dispatch
National Law Enforcement Certification
International Foundation for Protection Officers Certified Protection Officer
Student Organizations/Competitions
National Technical Honor Society
SkillsUSA
2nd annual lucas foundation polar plunge
On February 22, 2025 The LUCAS foundation held its 2nd Annual Polar Plunge. The morning started with Ms. Maylee Billups singing our National Anthem!!! Then all the brave plungers went into the water!!! We were joined by over 100 people for a breakfast to raise awarness of the rising rates of law enforcement suicide and in honor and memory of Lucas Henry Sizemore.
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On Wednesday November 14, 2024
The LUCAS Foundation was honored to be a guest speaker at the Homeland Security Investigations Leadership Conference in Columbus, OH
The LUCAS Foundation was invited to the 2024 Annual Crime is Toast Awards Ceremonies in Atlanta. On September 24, 2024 the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Police Foundation honored sworn officers and employees for their service and dedication. The acknowledgement we received during the ceremony was an honor and confirmation that what the LUCAS Foundation is doing is needed and wanted !
The epidemic of police officer suicides has reached levels that is drawing national attention.
Karen Solomon of First Help has helped draw that attention to our crusade and honor the first responders as well as their families. The First Help Monument was unveiled at Heroes Memorial Park in Rockwall, Tx on September 21, 2024. We submitted Lucas's name months ago and only found out a couple weeks before the unveiling that his name was included on the memorial wall.
On September 14, 2024 we were invited to a Step Up Foundation event that honored many heroes. Step Up Swim put 50 swimmers in Lake Erie and swam 6 nautical miles out to the Detroit Lighthouse. One of our heroes (Detective Bryan Ramsey of the Brownstown Police Department) swam in honor of Lucas, painting his badge number and initials on his arms ! Please help those that help us !!
On July 12, 2024 the LUCAS Foundation gave it's inaugural presentation to the Atlanta Police Academy. As part of the officer health and wellness segment of the academy training, the LUCAS Foundation had the honor to speak to over 130 recruits, command and training staff as well as the mental health professionals on hand. We will continue to speak on a regular basis sharing and talking about the subject nobody wants to discuss.
Dine & DOnate
Vito's pizzeria- july 20, 2024
July 22, 2024
The LUCAS Foundation would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those who attended and donated Saturday. All of the baskets and raffle ticket purchases helped make the Dine and Donate event very successful.
The LUCAS Foundation wants to thank and acknowledge Vito’s Pizzeria, Christie Kerr and the entire Vito’s staff. The use of their venue, their excellent service and their donation helped to make our event fun and successful. We will not forget it.
A special thank you to Officer Ali Sucu of the Atlanta Police Department. Officer Sucu called Vito’s from Atlanta on Saturday and purchased enough pizza to feed Lucas’s entire family. He is and always will be one of our own.
Thank you all !
The LUCAS Foundation
photos from this event
Cops & COnes
photos from cops & cones
ENDING STIGMAS
With Stephanie McKeith and guest, Brian Sizemore
A father's crusade to do his part in offering solutions to officers who are on the brink of a breakdown. After losing his son to suicide, Brian Sizemore couldn't go on one more day without taking action and providing the help his son Lucas, didn't have access to. Brian immediately started the LUCAS foundation. It is a resource for those in law enforcement. When the day is too heavy and you don't know what to do, who to talk to, or what to do next - call 734-250-1962 or text: 988 you will be met with a warm and understanding voice of love and support who is here to listen and just "be" with you.
A tribute to our angel, lucas
The news herald
Lucas Sizemore was an officer with the Atlanta Police Department and his death has hit home here in the Downriver area — where he was family.
Sizemore, 24, is from Woodhaven and graduated in 2017 from Summit Academy High School.
He died by suicide on Jan. 9.
His parents, Brian and Marie Sizemore, of Woodhaven, have founded the Lucas Foundation, inspired by their son.
Lucas Sizemore (Photo courtesy of the Brownstown Police Department)
“Lucas” is an anagram for Law Enforcement’s United Crusade Against Suicide, and its purpose is to raise awareness to what many in law enforcement believe is an alarming suicide rate among police officers...
Our first annual polar plunge 2/24/24
media coverage from this event
Atlanta Honor guard's plunge
Our inspiration for our first event!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW FOUNDATION STARTED BY WOODHAVEN PARENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF SUICIDE PREVENTION TO HOST FIRST ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE FUNDRAISER
WOODHAVEN, Mich. (February 16, 2024) -- After launching a foundation earlier this month in honor of their late son, Woodhaven parents Marie and Brian Sizemore are reaching out in search of individuals brave enough to jump into the frigid waters of the Detroit River on February 24 to raise funds for the new nonprofit.
The goals of the Lucas Foundation—with “Lucas” serving as an anagram for Law Enforcement’s United Crusade Against Suicide— are to raise awareness of the alarming suicide rate amongst police officers and raise funds to support mental health resources for everyone.
The First Annual Lucas Foundation Polar Plunge takes place at 8 a.m. Saturday, February 24 at Sunrise Park in Grosse Ile, which is located at the eastern end of Grosse Ile Parkway and East River Road. The event will be held every year on the weekend closest to Lucas’ birthday, which is February 26.
Lucas Sizemore was 24 years old and working as a patrol officer with the Atlanta Police Department when he died in mid-January. He is a 2017 graduate of Summit Academy High School and a 2022 graduate of Eastern Michigan University. The Sizemores have another son as well, Evan, 20.
“Providing access to suicide prevention resources while erasing the stigma people may feel while asking for help with their mental health is vitally important,” said Brian Sizemore, president of the Lucas Foundation. “That will be a focus for the Lucas Foundation.”
While there is no charge to participate in the Polar Plunge, the foundation is accepting donations. The funds raised from the event and future fundraisers will be distributed to organizations that offer services to prevent suicide amongst police officers and civilians alike.
“A lot of people have expressed interest already in this event, so we are looking forward to a good turnout,” said Sizemore. “If people don’t feel like jumping in the water, they can still help the cause by attending the event or using social media to spread the word about it.”
While the Polar Plunge is the first event planned to benefit the foundation, Sizemore is looking to host more in the future, including one featuring police officers and ice cream later this year.
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Lucas Foundation 2-2-2
According to Sizemore, the idea for the Polar Plunge came from Brownstown Township Police Assistant Chief Andy Starzec. “He knew we were starting the foundation and were looking for our first event,” said Sizemore. “He is a member of the Island Ice Dippers, a group that jumps into the river regularly, so when he suggested a dip for the foundation’s first event, my family and I thought it was a great idea.”
As president of the Lucas Foundation, Sizemore plans to actively seek out speaking engagements to promote the importance of maintaining mental health and connecting people with resources. Later this year, he will speak to academy cadets in Georgia at the request of the Atlanta Police Department.
Supporters of the First Annual Lucas Foundation Polar Plunge include Stroh’s Ice Cream in Wyandotte, Island Ice Dippers, Gabby’s Grief Center, SymbolArts and the Atlanta Police Department.
For more information about the Lucas Foundation or the Polar Plunge, visit www.lawenforcementscrusadeagainstsuicide.com.
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Contact:
Brian Sizemore
President, the Lucas Foundation
(734) 250-1962