Most people look to law enforcement when there is an emergency. Rufus Dalton understood that officers and their families also need crisis support, and his unrestricted gift to the Winston-Salem Foundation after his death in 1982 assured that our city's protectors would receive vital assistance in their times of adversity or suffering.

Born in 1893 and growing up in the West End area of Winston-Salem, Mr. Dalton never worked in law enforcement, he was an employee of Wachovia Bank, but something about the profession affected him personally.  He designated 153 individuals and 31 charitable institutions in his will, but his largest bequest went to local law enforcement agencies through the establishment of the Rufus Dalton Fund.  Originally designed to honor the bravery of a police officer injured in the line of duty or to compensate the spouse of an officer killed in the line of duty, The Winston-Salem Foundation expanded the possibilities of this unrestricted fund in 2003.   Now, remaining income in the fund at the end of the year goes to special needs grants for various law enforcement agencies.

Captain Bill Cobb, a 20-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Department and Captain to over 115 uniformed officers, is one of many law enforcement professionals benefiting from emotional survival training made possible by the Rufus Dalton Fund. Often overwhelmed by the constant stress of dealing with people's unfortunate circumstances, Cobb found this course on coping instrumental in teaching him how to balance the different emotional requirements of his work and home-life.  Learning to broaden his sense of self, Cobb says he now balances his desire to make an impact as a law officer with awareness that he is "first and foremost a father, son, husband, brother and member of the community."

Thanks to the perpetual support of Rufus Dalton, as conveyed through his unrestricted gift to The Winston-Salem Foundation, Captain Bill Cobb and all local police officers are now better equipped to handle the unending tensions of their heroic profession.