Shoot in memory

Nov. 28, 2011
Lack of funds cancels popular charity's annual event; Det. James W. Matthews Sr. Scholarship Foundation Law Enforcement Basketball Tournament

On September 24th, 2011, NYPD Finest 1 was scheduled to shoot for their fourth win in the Detective James W. Matthews Sr. Scholarship Foundation Law Enforcement Basketball Tournament. Begun in his father's memory, Connecticut Corrections Officer James Matthews Jr. wanted to create a legacy in remembrance of a great officer and a great man. Several teams were slated to make the trip to Hartford (Conn.) to play in this competitive tournament in support of the non-profit organization. Unfortunately, just a few days before it was scheduled to begin, Matthews Jr. had to make a tough call. After much consultation with Hartford Chief of Police Daryl Roberts, Matthews Jr. made the tough decision to cancel the tournament. For only the second time in twelve years, and on the one year anniversary of his mother's death (her illness created the need to cancel it the only other time), the tournament court would be silent.

Lighting the foundation's fire

Detective James Matthews Sr. was the first African American to make detective with the Waterbury (Conn.) police department. He served 25 years before retiring and becoming the first African-American head magistrate. The way he conducted himself professionally and privately influenced numerous people, the community and his only son.

"When you have a father, especially one who felt like how my father felt about the police department, it was a blessing," Matthews Jr. states. "My father was my best friend. When he wasn't working, all my youth, what I remember was being with him. He was an old school type of guy. He grew up in North Carolina. His word was his bond. As his son, I always had to carry myself in a certain manner because of the love and respect I had for him. I didn't want to let him down or embarrass him. Being the son of Detective James Matthews, I felt eyes were upon me. Every police officer at the time knew I was his son."

Matthews Sr. influenced other members of the family as well. "Growing up around James taught us discipline, how to manage our time and also how to be graceful and not put yourself above others," explains Sidney Trotman, Matthews Sr.'s nephew, a Connecticut corrections officer and vice president of the JWM-LEBT. "He believed in sitting down and having family dinners. He was letting us know be your own person, don't do things that are going to get you into trouble, help others, make yourself proud and that will automatically make your parents and community proud."

Matthews Sr. suffered from diabetes and watching his father deteriorate had a profound effect on his son. In 1992, after his father passed away, Matthews Jr. moved back to Waterbury. "I noticed a lot of officers didn't really know my father," he explains. "I would see police officers, especially younger police officers, and I'd say I was James Matthews Jr. and my father was a detective." Many didn't know who he was talking about and that lit the fire which became JWM-LEBT. "That said to me this man made history with this police department and these guys don't know about it. I need to do something to keep his memory alive," Matthews Jr. states.

The basketball tournament, the main fundraiser for the scholarship fund, originally began open to the public. "It was a small little seed that grew," Trotman says. "We started with a 3-on-3 with law enforcement mixed in. We took baby steps. It could have been any sport. We just chose basketball. It took off a little. We listened to the teams and we listened to people. We switched to law enforcement." The tournament is open to any public safety member. "It can be security, EMS, fire, police anything to do with law enforcement, sheriffs, bail bondsman," Matthews Jr. says. "It's not closed to a select few. Attorney General Patrick Lynch from Rhode Island played one year. We as officers need to extend the hand and help others. It's gratifying."

Several years ago, the tournament moved from Waterbury to Hartford with support from the now-chief Roberts. "I'm a strong supporter of it," he states. "We moved the tournament five or six years ago. I've been involved since I was assistant chief. It's a noble thing to do. It's a positive for young people in the community. You can't go wrong. In an urban environment, it gives them something to look forward to." The cancellation of the tournament and the future of the Fund weigh heavy on his mind.

True basketballers

Since its inception, the Matthews Basketball Tournament has become popular among law enforcement and promotes as a high-end competition. "It is a very competitive tournament because the bulk of the tournament is officers from New York," says Matthews Jr. "When people come to play in this tournament, they know they are going to play NYPD teams and NY corrections teams. These are true basketballers." The high level of play makes the tournament unique and attractive to players.

In past years, teams have come to compete from all over the country. Most come from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Baltimore (Md.), Dallas and Houston (Texas). The tournament includes all public safety, including firefighters. Matthews Jr. would like to see more teams and more jurisdictions compete. "We've done fairly well over the years. We've had some good years and some bad years." Because the tournament is supported by entry fees, the financial hardship this year's teams faced extended to the court. "The teams weren't able to pay until the day of the tournament," states Matthews Jr. "But the fees for the gym and the referees have to be paid in advance. As a non-profit, we just weren't able to do it." If the tournament had a sponsor, the cancellation could have been avoided.

Financial blow

The cancellation of the tournament included a financial blow to the foundation. Each year the money raised from the tournament fund several scholarships for youth in the community. "We give out scholarships to students to go into criminal justice," explains Matthews Jr. "We try to help those in financial need. We try to target those in less fortunate households. Even if it helps them buy some books, every penny helps. To hear the gratitude, when we help them, is very touching." The amount of the scholarships depends on the amount raised during the tournament and how much expense has been off-set by sponsors. "The years we have a sponsor are good years," states Matthews Jr. He worries about what they'll have to offer this year. "This is where I wish we had a sponsor to take some of the weight off," he says. Without a tournament, no scholarships will be available.

In years past, the organization hosted a mentoring program for the local middle schools utilizing officers from the Connecticut State Police, Waterbury Police Department and Connecticut Department of Corrections. "That changed the mindset with some of the kids because they hadn't thought of law enforcement as a career," says Matthews Jr. "At the end, some of the kids say I think I'll be a police officer or a corrections officer. When I talk to the kids who got scholarships, we talk to them about carrying themselves in a professional manner, respecting the community and not abusing authority."

In running the tournament, organizers try to involve the community as much as possible.

"The truth is not everybody is law enforcement friendly," Matthews Jr. says. "We get the community to come watch the tournament. To get the community involved it is a hard sell to do but I try." Chief Roberts agrees the Foundation and the tournament are good tools. "It creates a connection and a positive relationship," he states. "Normally, interactions with police are negative, like when you're being arrested. When does a police officer give good news? They see us as the bad guy. With the tournament they get to see police officers as human beings. A child sees me as an officer that plays ball. It builds positive relationships."

A getaway & release

The Matthews Tournament not only benefits the community, but also law enforcement participants. "One time I was thinking about stopping doing the tournament and one of the guys from NYPD who was in 9/11 heard that," explains Matthews Jr. "He pulled me aside and said they look forward to coming to this tournament every year. It's a release for them. It gives them a little time away from the job. It gives them a chance to network with different officers around the country. It's a little time away from home. Just to get away. To do something they like to do for recreation." The tournament can be a stress reliever. "The camaraderie of being with other officers that in itself impacts law enforcement," he furthers. "The tournament benefits the scholarship fund but also the officers that live a stressful life. When he brought it to me that way, I stood back and said I have to keep this going." Even with the cancellation of this year's tournament, Matthews Jr. is optimistic about the future. "We will continue to move forward hoping for a sponsor and looking at next year," he says.

Cheerleaders

"My dream is to have the foundation just be strong to not be in need, self-sufficient," he says. "To be able to help without struggling to help. I'd like to find a sponsor that will stand by us and believe in what we're doing and support us financially. I've been blessed a couple times to have sponsors. My dream was to have NIKE to join forces with us and start a law enforcement league." Two local sponsors have stood behind the JWM-LEBT for a number of years-Loehmann Blasius Cadillac-Chevrolet and Frankies Restaurants. "(They) have helped us keep our neck above the water and I'm grateful for that," explains Matthews Jr. Trotman agrees sponsorship would be the most helpful for the organization. "I hear Jimmie struggle for sponsorships," he says. "We are constantly on the phone letting them know this is not a fly by night operation. Anything can help." Roberts agrees as well. "I'd like to see it grow and be fully funded," he states. "I'd like to see more officers and more teams get engaged. I'd like to see young people get involved and more communication. Get the word out so people can get involved."

"As a child growing up, I watched my father always help others," Matthews Jr. says. "Here it is 30 years later, I could be in the mall, I could be in the store and somebody there mentions my name and people say are you Jimmy Matthews' son? Then I will get a story about how my father helped them or someone in their family out. My dad touched so many people in their lifetime being a police officer in the city of Waterbury. I never heard one person speak badly of my father. Not once. That's a special person that can touch people's lives like that."

Law enforcement professionals wondering what they can do to help can register their teams and come play in the tournament. Others are encouraged to come out to the games. Sponsorship could help this organization continue to provide benefits to the community and law enforcement personnel. "I'm proud to host it," Roberts says. "Come out and support the game and bring a young person so they can see. Sit in the stands and cheer. Get involved."

"When you have a father, especially one who felt like how my father felt about the police department, it was a blessing. My father was my best friend." -Matthews Jr., creator of the Detective James W. Matthews Sr. Scholarship Foundation and son of the foundation's namesake

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