Raymond J. Bach joined the Virginia Beach Police Department in 1977 where he is currently serving. During his almost thirty years as an officer, he has served at the First Precinct, Second Precinct, Detective Bureau and is currently assigned to the Special Operations Marine Patrol.

In 1987, Ray became a member of the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association (VBPBA). The VBPBA is an organization dedicated to help improve working conditions and relations within the police department. In 1998, he was elected vice president where he served until 2001 when he was elected president, a position he still holds.

The Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association is affiliated with the Virginia Coalition of Police and Deputy Sheriffs (VCOPS), which was formed to lobby for improved working conditions for all Virginia law enforcement officers. Ray is one of the founding members of the Virginia Police Defense Fund and continues to serve a leading role within the organization.

He can be contacted at 757-593-6400, or e-mail him at ray@policedefensefund.org.


Daniel S. Niedhammer began his police career after serving in the U.S. Army as a military police officer where he was served in South Korea, Fort Dix, N.J., Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, before receiving an honorable discharge.

Dan joined the Richmond Police Department in 1985 where he worked Richmond’s West End Third Precinct as well as the Southside Patrol Division in the old Second Precinct on Hull Street.

In 1992, Dan organized the Richmond Coalition of Police and served as its first president. Their mission was, and continues to be, working for the rights of the “street cop.” He also served as Legislative Director for the Virginia Coalition of Police and Deputy Sheriffs (VCOPS) where they lobbied the Virginia General Assembly for improvements in the working conditions for all Virginia law enforcement officers.

In March of 1994, Dan and another officer were shot and injured while on duty on the streets of Richmond. He retired as a police officer in 1995. Dan continues to work as an advocate for the working officers of the Virginia law enforcement community throughout Virginia. Along with Ray Bach, he is one of the founders of the Virginia Police Defense Fund. He can be reached at 1-866-OUR-COPS or by e-mail dan@policedefensefund.org.

 The Virginia Police Defense Fund is a tax exempt organization under
Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c3)