A representative from Supporting Heroes, an organization that honors public safety heroes how have died in the line of duty, gave a special presentation to area law enforcement, emergency responders and fire departments on July 24 at the Velma Houts Building. This program was organized by the Rock Port City Police.

A company called Supporting Heroes shared an important message with area law enforcement and emergency management officers on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at the Velma Houts Building in Rock Port. Supporting Heroes personnel came to Rock Port to present the program put together by the Rock Port Police Department. The program was focused on line of duty death and public safety officer benefits, training officers and organizations on procedures, and what to do in the event of a line of duty death.
Supporting Heroes’ mission statement explains the foundation of what they do: “Our mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of public safety heroes who give their lives in the line of duty – by caring for the loved ones they leave behind.”
Not only does the organization give free training for public safety officers and their roles and responsibilities when involved with an agency death, they also give support to the families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Support services include immediate financial support, funeral planning and tributes, trial support and travel and lodging coverage so that families can attend any national memorial services where their loved ones may be honored.
The Rock Port Police Department invited law enforcement, emergency man­agement and fire departments from several surrounding communities and were happy to sponsor the training. They learned about public safety officer benefits, who is eligible for those benefits and also reviewed the importance of agencies having funeral protocols and the importance of keeping updated records.
“Honoring officers who have died in the line of duty is something we take very seriously, so I felt that this training was worthwhile and important,” said Rock Port Chief of Police Shannon Sherwood.