MISSOURI – For a law enforcement agency nothing is more painful than losing one of their own in the line of duty.
In Missouri, a nonprofit was formed to make sure those departments have one less thing to worry about during those difficult times by taking care of funeral arrangements.
The team was formed in 2009. Since then they’ve planned 35 funerals, including one earlier this month for Osage Beach officer Phylicia Carson.
“I think it exponentially helps with taking the burden off of the home agency because they have a lot of things going on, things that they’re not even thinking about,” said Sgt. Josh Steele with the Springfield Police Department.
The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team originated in the St. Louis area after two officers were killed.
Since then, the team has expanded across the state.
“Our team is a resource for the agency and the family that has experienced that loss,” said Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team State Coordinator Les Kerr.