Northern Nevada C.O.P.S. Board Members
Jennifer Grant-Blount
President
My name is Jennifer Grant-Blount and I am the Immediate Past President of Northern Nevada COPS. I am the proud daughter of Deputy David Grant, EOW May 31, 2004. While responding Code 3 to a plane crash, a local utility worker failed to yield the right of way and hit my father's patrol vehicle. He died an hour later at our local hospital. My Dad was and still is my hero. I am grateful for this wonderful organization, where I can keep his name and legacy alive. He was a bear of a man, hard working, funny as hell, and had the best taste in music. He loved serving his community or anyone he came across who needed help or support. He worked many assignments during his 28 year career from patrol, motors, investigations, to undercover and coroner. I have so many memories of him that I carry with me everyday. I am a mother of two and wife of a Reno Police Sergeant. I am a country recording artist when I'm not rooting for my husband and kids during motocross races. I have a great obsession for dogs, and have four at home, SweetPea, Grizzly, Wicket, and Bandit. I love to travel and spend time with my family. Northern NV COPS holds a special place in my heart. I am grateful for the relationships that I have gained, as well as the support from our local business owners and law enforcement agencies. I look forward to continuing to work alongside this fantastic organization.
Loren Ross
Treasurer
Born and raised in Reno, NV, I began my career with the Reno Police Department as an Explorer in 1969 and was hired as a Cadet in 1973. Promoted to Police Officer in 1975 and Sergeant in 1986, I retired in 2002 as a Detective Sergeant. I was blessed to meet and marry an amazing woman, and we’ve now been married for 40 years, with 2 grown sons and one 9-year-old granddaughter. I’ve been involved in volunteer work for my entire adult life in a wide variety of organizations, including Little League baseball, Pop Warner football, Washoe County Sheriff's Office HASTY Team Search & Rescue, and Scouting, to name a few. I also REALLY enjoy fishing! I’m a surviving coworker of Officers Jimmy Hoff, Keith Hashimoto, John Bohach, and Mike Scofield of the Reno Police Department, and Sgt. George Sullivan of the University of Nevada, Reno Police Department.
Jodi Jenkins
Secretary
I am the surviving spouse of NHP Sergeant Ben Jenkins, End of Watch, March 27, 2020. I have served as the Secretary for Northern Nevada C.O.P.S. since 2024. After Ben's passing, I was not prepared for the love and amount of support that my family and I received from a complete group of strangers. I am grateful for the opportunities we have been given, and I have attended retreats myself. I retired from the Nevada Division of Forestry after 33 years. I enjoy traveling and relaxing with my family. I am honored to pay it forward and help support other fallen families and co-workers as they try to pick up the pieces and move forward after such a tragic loss. I look forward to serving as your Secretary.
Ginger Howell
Chaplain
Chaplain Ginger Howell is currently serving as chaplain and peer support team member with Washoe County Sheriff's office. In the past, she was the volunteer chaplain coordinator for the Harris County Sheriff's Office in Houston Texas. She trained, mentored, and supervised 45 volunteer chaplains serving HCSO. The chaplains rode patrol, performed death notifications, visited deputies in the hospital, visited dispatchers weekly, and helped with funerals. Ginger also served on the CISM team for HCSO.
From 2014 to 2017 Ginger assisted in 6 coworker line of duty deaths; 4 from her agency, and 2 were from other agencies. On 9/27/19 she lost another close HCSO deputy friend, Sandeep Dhaliwal due to a LODD.
Chaplain Ginger became interested in C.O.P.S. after having the privilege of escorting Survivor families to Police week in 2015 and 2016. She saw first hand how C.O.P.S. retreats and programs bring healing to line of duty death survivor families and coworkers. She is honored to volunteer as Chaplain with the Northern Nevada C.O.P.S. chapter and attended Police Week again in 2020.
Chaplain Ginger Howell is an ordained crisis and disaster response chaplain with IFOC, The International Fellowship of Chaplains . She is also trained in : Individual and group CISM, FEMA incident command, DMORT, psychological first aid, mental health first aid, and suicide prevention. She received her Mental Health Coach Certification from Light University in 2023.
Natalie Tierney
Event Coordinator
I have been connected to law enforcement my entire life. I was raised in it, trained in it, and built my own career in it. This profession shaped me early, and it continues to shape my family today. My husband retired from the Nevada Highway Patrol and now serves with the Legislative Police. We are raising two boys, ages 17 and 10, in a home that understands what this job asks of a family.
I have coordinated fundraisers, community events, and formal galas, and I take pride in making sure the details are handled so families can focus on what truly matters. I approach events with organization, steady and reliable leadership, and respect for the emotional weight they often carry. I am trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and trauma-informed practices, and I am currently pursuing graduate studies in counseling. That education has strengthened how I serve, especially in spaces where grief and honor exist side by side.
People who work with me know I respond quickly, communicate clearly, and follow through. I believe in being dependable. I believe in doing the work well. Most of all, I believe in showing up when it counts.
We all understand that the knock at the door is possible. Serving Northern Nevada C.O.P.S. means standing beside families who have given so much, often quietly and without recognition, and making sure they are supported with dignity, care, and consistency when everything changes.
It is an honor to serve in this role and to work alongside this organization.
National COPS
573-346-4911