Local Teen Wishes to Benefit Fallen Officers’ Families

BY MELANIE BUCK –

One Polk County teen is organizing a way to help families of the fallen officers from the Dallas Police Department following the deadly night of violence that shook that city for hours on Thursday, July 7, 2016. Five officers lost their lives and nine more were injured before the shooter, Micah Xavier Johnson, was killed, ending the night of terror.

After seeing the horror on TV, Taylor Fortner, a 16-year old junior at Cossatot River High School, and also a police officer’s daughter, knew she had to do something to help. “I just felt like I needed to do something,” said Taylor. “So I prayed about it and I talked to my mom and a youth leader at church, and they said, if this is something I felt led to do, then do it.”

Taylor’s dad, Steve Fortner, is a Deputy at the Polk County Sheriff’s Department and her mother, Julie, works at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the 18th West Judicial District, so she knows all to well what challenges law enforcement faces on a daily basis. “Officers are people too and they and their families need help during times like this,” said Taylor.

To help those officers and families, Taylor is having a yard/bake sale this Saturday, July 23rd, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the old Remax building, across from Pulse Multi-Media, on Highway 71 South. Anyone wishing to donate items for the yard sale or bake sale can contact Taylor’s mom, Julie, at 479-216-2848. Anyone wishing to purchase items can attend the sale on Saturday. Monetary donations will also be taken. All proceeds will be sent through a foundation to benefit the victims of the Dallas police shooting. Although she is still researching foundations, the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation is one of the possibilities.

“If people could come help support the fallen officers and their families, that would be great,” said Taylor. “There are a lot of people that have said they wish they could help somehow and now they can.”

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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