The Taser Foundation has launched its annual fundraising drive for the families of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. And two groups have pledged to match donations in the month of December up to $100,000.

The Taser Foundation for Fallen Officers is designed to fill the gap between an officer's death and when pensions and other benefits begin. It is the only organization that provides benefits to families in the United States and Canada from federal, state, county, and local law enforcement organizations. In most cases a grant request is processed within 24 hours of receipt.

Families may use the funds for whatever they need, including payment for funeral expenses or education scholarships for children.

Taser International has offered to match December donations, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. A group of major supporters has also committed to match donations up to the $100,000 level by December 31, 2005. For the month of December, each dollar donated can actually mean three dollars going to the families of fallen heroes.

Since Taser International bears all the administrative costs of the Foundation, 100 percent of the donations will go directly to the families of fallen officers.

Grants are available only upon request by chiefs of police, sheriffs, and federal law enforcement executives in the name of officers killed in the line of duty since August 1, 2004. The Foundation's mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of local and federal law enforcement officers in the United States and Canada lost in the line of duty. Established in November 2004, the TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers has distributed almost $800,000 to more than 160 families in the United States and Canada.

For more information visit www.taserfoundation.org.