Kerri Long has a complicated relationship with her job at the Texas Fallen Officer Foundation. As the vice president of this Plano-based nonprofit, she experiences both love and frustration.
Long, a police officer at the Tyler Police Department, is passionate about assisting people in need, yet she often finds herself facing heart-wrenching tragedies in her line of work.
“I can’t help but hold back tears as I say this; the stories of the widows and their profound love for their husbands are truly heart-wrenching,” Long expressed with deep emotion. “Witnessing the children who have lost their fathers or wives who have lost their partners is incredibly sorrowful.”
The Texas Fallen Officer Foundation offers both financial assistance and emotional support to officers who have been critically injured while on duty, as well as to the families of officers who have lost their lives.
Demetrick “Tre” Pennie, a retired Dallas police sergeant, serves as the president and executive director of the organization. According to Pennie, their main objective is to assist families in coping with the aftermath of their loss.
According to Pennie, a national advocate for fallen officers, the nonprofit he works for has seen a significant increase in the assistance they provide. In comparison to 2023, their support to families and officers has risen by approximately 26%. The organization believes that this increase can be attributed to a higher number of officer injuries and fatalities, as well as increased awareness among victims about the services they offer.
According to Long, the areas where officers are most likely to get seriously injured or killed in the line of duty include Dallas, Arlington, Terrell, and Fort Worth. He also mentioned that the Houston area, particularly the Houston Police Department and the Constable’s Office, is another region where officers face significant risks.
In the line of duty, North Texas has sadly lost seven members as recorded by Officer Down Memorial Page, a national nonprofit organization that keeps track of law enforcement officers who have lost their lives. Tragically, Ellis County Detention Officer Isaiah Bias and Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanoza both lost their lives within a span of just eight days.
Three tragic deaths have rocked different communities in Texas. On November 26, Officer Cooper Dawson of the Greenville Police Department lost his life. Earlier in October, Sheriff’s Deputy Allen Love tragically died in a crash in Wise County. Late August saw the shocking killing of Darron Lee Burks, which deeply impacted the city of Dallas. These incidents have left a profound impact on the affected communities, highlighting the dangers and sacrifices faced by law enforcement officers every day.
In the weeks leading up to that, the Fort Worth Police Department experienced the loss of Sgt. Billy Randolph. Similarly, the North Richland Hills Police Department bid farewell to Assistant Police Chief Kevin Linn Palmer in early May after he suffered a heart attack.
“It’s not only police officers, but also firefighters and EMS personnel. We are all part of one big family. And when an incident like that occurs, it deeply affects all of us,” expressed Long.
In a heartbreaking start to October, the Irving Fire Department suffered a devastating loss. Joshua Brandes, a dedicated fire equipment operator and paramedic, tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident near Springtown while he was off duty.
In December, the Eagle Mountain Fire Department faced a tragic incident. Dalton Ingram, who was off duty at the time, lost his life in a car accident.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Texas has the highest number of officer deaths in 2024, with 17 law enforcement officers losing their lives. This is followed by New York state with 14 deaths and Illinois with nine. These stories of fallen officers receive significant attention in the news cycle.
“We want these widows to know that we love them and that we’re here for them,” she said, questioning what the future holds. “What about a year from now? What about two years from now when nobody is talking about it?”
The Texas Fallen Officer Foundation traces its origins back to the Dallas’ Fallen Officer Foundation in 2016. According to the organization, it has provided more than $1 million in donations to families who have lost law enforcement officers and to officers who have suffered critical injuries. The donation amounts, which are approved by the board, are kept confidential.
Critical injuries and officer deaths quickly make headlines, spreading rapidly through various news channels. Long explained that the families of the affected officers are typically reached out to either through reliable sources or the law enforcement agency itself. She emphasized that the families have the freedom to decide whether or not they want to accept the offered assistance.
When a family accepts their help, they strive to provide long-lasting support.
The organization took 42 families who have availed their services to a Dallas Cowboys game. While this memory may not replace the loss of their loved ones, it does offer them a new opportunity to find solace and hope for the future.
Long’s husband, a police officer, and her two sons are the pillars of her life. In preparation for the unforeseen, she has taken the initiative to make arrangements for her funeral. She has shared her wishes with her husband and best friend so that they are aware of her desires.
