It  began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in April of 1915. Two Police Officers  Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle wondered if other workers could organize, why can't the police? Police Oficers were working 16 to 18 hour days without additional compensation, many had to work second and third jobs to support their families, and nothing was improving. Both agreed that alone, individually not much would change but united with other officers with one common goal, the betterment of Police Officers and their families, there voice would be heard.  Several names were considered for such an organization and the initial one was the United Association of Police, but eventually the name was changed to the Fraternal Order of Police .

   Since that time the Fraternal Order of Police has continued to evolve into an international organization with over 200,000 members chartering State and Local Lodges, and providing legislative and legal services, assistance with collective bargaining matters and many other benifits to its membership.

   On July 14,1937, a as granted by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of police and under this charter "David Foster Lodge No. 78 Fraternal Order of Police" was constitued a subordinate Lodge with full power under their jurisdiction within the County of Howard, City of Kokomo,Indiana. The Lodge was named after one of the Founding Fathers of Kokomo, David Foster and was Incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana.  FOP #78 serves  135 Law Enforcement officers including City, County, Town and State Officers , 500 associate members and 96 retired officers. As the lodge grew we eventually purchased property located at 102 W. Markland Avenue and later purchased the ajoining property, we provide club facilities for our membership to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with other officers and civilian members who actively support law enforcement.

FOP#78 is the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for members of the Kokomo Police Department overseeing the administration and enforcement of their collective bargaining agreement with the City of Kokomo. FOP #78 provides  representation ,assistance and legal services for  members of the Howard County Sheriff's Department who presently are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. And provides benefits to it's retired members along with their retirement badge and identification.

FOP#78 supports the community projects such as "We Care", United Way, Lafayette Park Little League, Southside Little League, PAL Football, PAL Basketball, PAL Girls Sporting teams, Family Intervention, YWCA  and many other community projects . We provide the annual Shop with a Cop Program that targets children who would not otherwise have a christmas by  providing them with funds and  both city and county officers take them shopping with the assistance of Wal-Mart. Shop with a Cop Donations are solicited by mail only, never by phone, and all work is done by members. We are proud to say that approx. 97% of all funds raised for Shop with a Cop during the past 4 years has been spent on the children and the remainder for postage and printing. We also provide Scholarships for our members children, and legal defense assistance for our active members, plus many other benefits.

Our FOPA Lodge associate members consist of civilians who actively support law enforcement and wish to assist officers and their families and enjoy the fraternalism and fellowship. They assist us in fund raising efforts to benefit the community and conduct various functions during the year to further their endeavors. Each month they meet and annually they elect officers to work with the FOP Officers and to maintain communication between all. Without the assistance of the Associate members we could not accomplish many of the community projects each year. They hold car washes for "We Care" Garage Sales to assist needy families, and an annual Hog Roast to just get together and enjoy the fellowship of each other.