“Back the Blue” has become a common expression now days. Many people including myself, may not even really know what that expression means. Does it mean seeing an officer late at night in Whataburger and buying them a meal? Does it mean just staying out of their way and letting them do their incredibly hard job? Does it mean donating hard earned money to organizations that we don’t even know if they give those dollars back to officers in need? Fortunately there are plenty of ways that we can “Back the Blue.” And fortunately, there are reliable, non-profit organizations that are doing amazing things for fallen or injured law enforcement and their families. Here at Texas Life Magazine we are always looking for ways to give back and we went in search of some of those organizations. We found some pretty great things and we wanted to share them with you all and give some meaning to “Back the Blue.”
Texas Fallen Officer’s Foundation is the first one on this important list. This foundation does so many things that make a BIG impact on the lives of the blue family. Once you belong to this kind of a family, you always belong. Fallen officer Detective Moreno of the San Antonio Police Department died courageously in the line of duty, leaving behind a wife and two young sons. Now, 10 years later his eldest son is graduating high school without his Dad cheering from the audience. Detective Moreno’s brothers and sisters in blue didn’t forget. More than 50 officers from the SAPD came to the young man’s graduation ceremony to be there for him when their brother, his Dad, could not.
"Personally, a lot of officers knew detective Moreno. He was a family man and an amazing officer," Officer Tre Serrano, spokesman for the Texas Fallen Officer's Foundation, said. This foundation supports law enforcement and their loved ones in so many ways besides financially. You can see for yourself at www.texasfof.org
When the family of a law enforcement officer gets the call they never want to get, that their loved one has been killed in the line of duty, where do they turn? What do they do next? This next organization gives them an answer. Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force, or (Texax LODD Task Force Mission), provides many services to fallen or injured first responders and their families. As stated on their website “The goals of the Texas LODD Task Force are multifaceted, but can be summarized in the statement, ‘Remembering the survivors so that we will never forget the fallen.’ Our goal is to provide for the unique needs of those who have experienced a line of duty death or injury. Fall-out issues from a fatality include depression, substance abuse, and loss of desire to continue serving within the profession (paid or volunteer, post-traumatic stress, marriage difficulties, inter-department stress, fractured families, and sometimes suicide. We wish to help to stem the sadness, grief and stress within this community by providing services that are specifically catered to the particular needs of these individuals.”
You can find out more about this incredible organization plus all of the services and programs they provide at www.texasloddtaskforce.com
While this next organization may be more well-known and they too help grieving families of fallen or injured officers in many ways, they also honor the fallen by giving back to the next generation of law enforcement. The Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation is giving some deserving students a way to continue their education in law enforcement. They explain it here in their own words, “The Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation Scholarship is merit based scholarship that is exclusively being offered to students at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (Dallas) that have a desire to work in the law enforcement profession as police officers. This scholarship was created in honor of the police officers that have "fallen" in the line of duty and seeks to evaluate students' understanding of the current policing environment, culture and perspectives on improving community relations. Each year, two (2) students will be awarded a scholarship based on their merit achievements and understanding of the policing profession.”
While this organization has a strong commitment to providing financial and emotional support for the brave families of fallen officers they are also committed to the education of our future law enforcement. For a list of services and programs provided by The Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation visit www.dallasfof.org Each of these organizations are doing their part in supporting our law enforcement community. In the June/July issue of Texas Life Magazine we will be highlighting the Assist the Officer Foundation and how it stands out in its support of our law enforcement community. Please be sure and look for this in the next issue of Texas Life Magazine.
