12/16/2024
We are all deeply saddened by the recent tragic loss of Biddeford Maine Police Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek early in the morning of Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Sgt. Wolterbeek was a Portsmouth, NH resident who served with the Biddeford PD for 18 years. He leaves behind a wife and three young children.
Jacob has been described as a cop’s cop, a dedicated and compassionate public servant and an officer who treated everyone fairly and with respect but Jake first and foremost was a loving husband, doting father and a loyal son and sibling. He was known for frequently pulling out his phone to share pictures of his children and sharing stories of their latest antics. His love for his wife was evident in the way he spoke of her. He would often joke that he didn’t know what she saw in him but it’s pretty obvious what she saw because anyone that knew Jake saw it as well – he was one of a kind.
The Trooper Black Foundation was holding off initially from contacting the Biddeford Police Department to give them a bit of time to grieve and process their loss. With the reality being that news cycles are short, we did want to start the process of raising funds for the family in a timely manner.
Today we have spoken with members of the BPD a couple of times, including with Chief JoAnne Fisk, and they have given us their support and blessing to raise funds for the wife and children of Sgt. Wolterbeek, and will be steering people who want to donate to our organization.
Maine Law Enforcement Agencies are forbidden from raising money for one of their own, so they need another “vehicle” like a GoFundMe page or a registered nonprofit like ours to help them out.
We are pleased that they have put their trust in the Trooper Black Foundation and we will not let them down. As previously stated, 100% of online donations received until the end of December, as well as any checks received through the mail intended for the Wolterbeek family, will be going to the family. No money will be lost through “administration”.
To donate, please go to our secure site at https://trooperblackfoundation.org and hit the donate button near the top.
If you would prefer to contribute with a check, please make it out to “Trooper Black Foundation” and write “Sgt. Wolterbeek” in the memo line and mail to
Trooper Black Foundation
P.O. Box 104
Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Once again, please share this post so together we can all make a difference for this family who has experienced such terrible loss and heartache.
