The Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas has activated its Survivors Fund in response to the passing away of Chief Steven Fleming of the Gainesville (Texas) Police Department. To assist during this difficult time, the Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas has donated $10,000 to his family.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven's family," said Garland (Texas) PD Lt. David Swavey, founder of the Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas. "He truly had a heart for public service and his legacy to the Gainesville Police Department and his community will be long-standing."

Fleming was injured in a fall while working at the police department on Friday, Oct. 25, and succumbed to his injuries in early November. Fleming worked as a Gainesville police officer for almost 23 years after graduating from the Arlington Police Academy in 1990.

During his career, he was a proud member of the Texas Police Chief's Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT). He served on the CASA Board of Directors as well as the criminal justice advisory committee with the Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG).

Fleming is survived by his wife Kimberly and his daughter Maegan. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church, the Optimist Club, Gainesville Masonic Lodge 210, and the Fort Worth Scottish Rite.

"Sadly, our mission is fulfilled during these times and we are deeply committed to providing support to the families of our fallen first responders and heroes ongoing, but we need the community's support to be there when those families need us," Swavey said. "This holiday season we ask that the North Texas community come together to help us raise funds for the families of our brothers and sisters who lose their lives while in the line of duty."

Donations to the Guns and Hoses Survivors Fund can be made at www.gunsandhosesnorthtx.org or mailed to Guns and Hoses Foundation c/o Lt. David Swavey 1891 Forest Lane Garland, TX 75042. Donations to the Survivors Fund are dedicated to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

About Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas

The Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas was founded in 2002, as a nonprofit foundation primarily committed to providing support and financial assistance to families of fallen fire and police officers, who have lost their lives performing their duty. The Guns & Hoses foundation covers 16 counties in North Texas, which are served by more than 23,000 police and firefighters. To date the organization has provided financial support to 28 families of fallen officers and firefighters.