National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children's Foundation (NLEAFCF) has sent out a $5,000 emergency grant this week to the family of a police officer lost in the line of duty last Saturday night.

The check was sent to help with some of the immediate needs of the family of Hattiesburg, Miss., Police Officer Benjamin Deen, who is survived by his wife and two children, a 9-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl.

NLEAFCF provides special-need grants and college scholarships throughout the country to families of law enforcement and firefighting personnel lost or permanently disabled in the line of duty. NLEAFCF founder Al Kahn noted of Police Officer Deen, "Like many of the men and women who dedicate their lives to protect and serve, Benjamin Deen saw his career as more than a job – following in the footsteps of his grandfather, he saw his work as a higher calling."

In the aftermath of 9/11, Kahn recognized that "many families across America have little support in surviving the immense impact of a line-of-duty loss. There was a clear need for a national organization that could be there to help these families." In 2002, Kahn formed the NLEAFCF, which provides long-term support through emergency grants, college scholarships, and family friendly events for the children of fallen first responders.

Since 2006, the NLEAFCF's Scholarship & Grant Program has provided over 225 college scholarships and special need grants to individuals from line of duty families and law enforcement and firefighter organizations across 29 states.

Each Thanksgiving since 2001, NLEAFCF hosts more than 1300 children and family members of fallen heroes from the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department, Port Authority Police Department, Wounded Warriors, America's Camp and other local law enforcement and firefighting teams for a hot breakfast and a front row view of the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "The event provides a chance for the families to gather and heal and gives us the chance to show our thanks for the sacrifices they have made," says Kahn.

About NLEAFCF

The National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children's Foundation (NLEAFCF) is dedicated to helping the children of law enforcement officers and firefighters lost or permanently disabled in the line of duty. When the ultimate sacrifice has been made by a first responder, the Foundation believes it is our responsibility as a society to ensure that their children achieve their full potential as active citizens and thriving members of the community. Through grants, college scholarships, and family-friendly events, the NLEAFCF serves the needs of these children across the country regardless of how long ago or how recent their loss. The Foundation's long-term commitment is a promise to the people who defend and protect us, a major investment in our nation's future and in tomorrow's heroes.

For more information on the NLEAFCF visit https://nleafcf.org/ ; connect on Twitter https://twitter.com/nleafcf ; Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NLEAFCF ; Instagram http://instagram.com/nleafcf/ ; Tumblr https://nleafcf.tumblr.com/