Formerly called the Broomfield Rotary Police & Fire Golf Tournament, this annual event has been renamed in honor of former Chief of Police Tom Deland. Now, the Tom Deland Memorial Golf Tournament will continue to serve police and firefighters in remembrance of a man who strived to “never lose an officer.”
According to Maj. R. Cameron Marshall, “Whether in uniform or out, he never stopped working to make Broomfield a better place to live and raise a family. Broomfield was in his bones. He knew our town because he had lived here his whole life.”
On February 1st of this year, the community was devastated by the loss of Tom Deland, who served the Broomfield Police Department for 37 years, 23 of those years as Chief of Police. As a long-time member of the Broomfield Rotary Club, Tom, along with retired North Metro Fire Chief, John O’Hayre and former Fire Board President, John Abboud, were instrumental in starting the Broomfield Police & Fire Fund. Tom served as a director of this tournament.
“This is a celebration of life” said Steve Higgins, Director of the Broomfield Rotary. “We’re honoring Tom’s life, and of the lives of every beneficiary. It’s an opportunity to raise funds and help people through some tough times.”
Tom was many things to many people in Broomfield, but above all, he was an adored husband, father, and grandfather. He was the epitome of a community steward and it is in that same spirit that this tournament has been renamed in his memory.
Linda Deland, Tom’s wife, has taken his place as director of the tournament. “He was a cop’s cop, his number one goal was to never lose an officer” she said with the love and adoration only a wife of 46 years could express. “I want to honor him and the community by taking on the task of continuing his legacy through this golf tournament. It meant so much to him, this is what he would want.”
The golf tournament exists because Broomfield is made up of people that love and care deeply about the community. The generosity and support of the people has helped police and firefighters take on some of the toughest challenges and circumstances that the life of a first responder can dish out. The mission to provide assistance to our local heroes is clear. First responders volunteer to give selflessly to protect and help others. They are the ones that run towards danger, not away from it. Through programs like this, the community can take a step towards them in their time of need.
Chris Hickey, a former motorcycle officer for the Broomfield Police Department, has plenty of fond memories about former Chief Deland. A recent beneficiary of the Police and Fire Fund, his daughter Katelyn is able to attend college and pursue her dreams thanks to the generosity of the community and the people that help fund the program. “You just don’t run into many people like that (Tom), people that truly care. Even after Tom retired, he never slowed down. He just went deeper into his work with the Broomfield Rotary and helping the Broomfield community.”
On July 11th, 2022, the Broomfield Rotary Club is proud to host the 19th annual tournament to benefit the Broomfield Rotary Foundation's Police and Fire Fund serving to provide financial assistance to police officers & firefighters who are injured or lost in the line of duty.
They want you to be part of this mission! Consider this your open invitation to learn more about some of the beneficiaries of this fund and the positive impact it has had on them and their families.
“He was a cop’s cop, his number one goal was to never lose an officer.”