What We Do

When a line-of-duty death occurs, the Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation provides on-site support and assistance for both the fallen officer’s family and agency. Our trained volunteer team works to serve the fallen officer’s family members based on their unique individual needs and wishes. Typically, the agency assigns liaisons to the family and CFHF. These liaisons are present throughout the daily planning processes, allowing frequent check-ins with the family and agency to ensure all are well informed, able to provide input, and support decisions made by the team.

Our Family Support Coordinator provides ongoing family support for immediate and extended family members after the memorial. This support includes connecting families to helpful or needed resources, support to previous surviving families during a line of duty death and funeral, support on birthdays, anniversaries, the anniversary of their officer’s line-of-duty death and more.  Ongoing support of the families after a line of duty passing is an important part of the caring for the families in the face of such an impactful loss.

Our Services

  • For Families

    • Dedicated fundraising support, 100% of donations received for 30 days following a line-of-duty death given directly to the fallen officer’s family

    • Counseling resources to promote health and wellness at no cost to the agency

    • Experienced family liaison to assist in care and support

    • Hands-on assistance with memorial service and funeral planning

    • Obituary Writing

    • Continued support from the Family Support Coordinator

  • For Agencies

    • Training for command staff to prepare for a line-of-duty death

    • Support and consultation to command staff

    • Support and consultation to the agency public information officer

    • Memorial and Funeral Service planning

    • Honor Guard overwatch

    • Procession route planning

    • Peer support services

    • Agency liaison

Testimonials

  • “The first contact I had with the Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation was on January 25, 2018, when Danny Veith was standing in my living room helping me, or pretty much planning my son's funeral, because I was in no shape to do it myself. I don't remember much about that meeting but I do remember the funeral was beautiful and honorable, total respect for my son. Danny explained what each tradition meant, we were encouraged to add things that we would like. I was able to be a pallbearer for my son. I carried him the first day he was born and wanted to be able to carry him the last day he was here.”

    - James 'Jim' Gumm, Father of Heath McDonald Gumm EOW January 24, 2018

  • “We had a major investigation. We had five officers that were shot, one was killed, we had civilians who were also shot. The investigation took over an apartment complex. We did not have enough people to handle the investigation. The Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation came in with over 50 plus people from all skill sets across public safety and planned the entire ceremony. It is planning an event for over 3000 people in a week.”

    -Deputy Chief Timothy Moore, Douglas County Sheriff's Office

  • When Deputy Tony Tagliatela passed while still an active member of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, the Foundation made a donation to his widow. "I received a much needed check from the Fallen Hero Foundation! Thank you! After a long illness, the funds were greatly appreciated."

    -Stacie Tagliatela, surviving spouse Deputy Tony Tagliatela EOW November 7, 2024

  • "I just received the check you sent in Hannah's memory and wanted to thank the Foundation. I am starting an account for Eleanor, so she can go to college. We miss her mother very much, and I am very grateful for the support of my agency and community. I had no idea the Foundation also supported correction's deputies."

    _Andrew Diehl, surviving spouse of Deputy Hannah Diehl EOW September 26, 2024