On March 21, 2009, four Oakland police officers were killed in the line of duty: Sergeants Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans, and Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege. Our founder began planning a fundraiser for their families and departments almost immediately.
The response was remarkable. A celebrity golf tournament raised $40,000 for the families. That outpouring is what turned a single fundraiser into an organization: Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes became a nonprofit on July 1, 2009, on the guiding principle "Serving Those Who Served."
Our philosophy has not changed since. When a peace officer or firefighter dies in the performance of their duties, we as a community of supporters step forward and provide whatever help is appropriate to the family and the agency left behind. Their sacrifice protects our communities. Our support protects their families.
That help takes two forms. The Scholarship Program has awarded more than $345,000 in renewable educational scholarships since 2013, open to the spouses and children of the fallen. The Help for Heroes Program has provided more than $400,000 in direct financial assistance, immediate fundraising where the family receives 100% of every donation, complimentary financial guidance from licensed advisors for up to a year, and urgent supplies for the agencies that lost them.
Licensed, certified, accountable
- Registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization
- Tax ID 26-4835405
- Founded July 1, 2009 on the principle "Serving Those Who Served"
- 100% of Help for Heroes donations go to the affected family
