The History of Cops on Top

Cops on Top was founded by Sergeant Keith McPheeters of the Farmington New Mexico Police Department.  In 1998, Sergeant McPheeters was a member of that agency's Special Response Team searching for the killers of Cortez Colorado Police Officer Dale Claxton.  The manhunt was the largest of its kind in American history and conducted in the remote Southwestern United States Four-Corners region of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.  During those months, McPheeters reflected on the nature of his occupation, the public's perception of a police officer's work, and the effect such a loss has on an officer's survivors.  From these thoughts, the concept of Cops on Top took form.

The inaugural expedition in 1999 was in memory of Officer Claxton, and McPheeters chose Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska for the team's first climb. 

Cops on Top returned to Denali in 2001 to successfully reach the summit in memory of Washington State Trooper James Saunders.

On September 11th 2002, 2003, and 2004 expedition members made multiple simultaneous climbs to high point around the country to memorialize the Fire and Police personnel who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In January 2004, team members summited the highest peak in the western hemisphere, Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina, in memory of Marine Staff Sergeant James W. Cawley - a Salt Lake City Police Department Detective and SWAT team member, killed during a firefight while serving in Iraq - as well as other officers who gave their lives protecting others.

About this Site

This web site contains extensive information about each of the expeditions; team members, climbing itineraries, equipment lists, menus, and trip logs.  Cops on Top is honored that much of the information is used as a reference for other expedition teams, and that we are listed as a link on some of the most respected mountaineering web sites on the internet.

Your Support is Appreciated

Cops on Top maintains the highest integrity with respect to all fiscal matters of the team.  All sponsorships, donations, receipts, and disbursements are recorded and reported. All donations under the Cops on Top name should be made directly to the organization. If you have questions about making donations or if you question the purpose of any person who has solicited your donation and wish to confirm its validity, please contact us.