Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force

We are finalizing details for an upcoming Space Cowboys game for families and loved ones of fallen first responders. We need your feedback on dates / how many seats to block.

Please respond by 7/21!

https://form.jotform.com/241905866027057

This is a family-friendly event. Survivors and their immediate family members would be seated together in the HEB Picnic Plaza. Cards will be provided to purchase meals/snacks at the concession stands. You would have full access to the venue amenities including the bars, concessions, stores, playground, and splashpad.

Texas Fallen Heroes Family Network - Space Cowboys Game Please click the link to complete this form.

Suspect that killed Harris County Sheriff deputy still on the loose.

Texas sheriff releases new images of person of interest in deadly deputy ambush as manhunt continues Texas' Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that state authorities are joining the manhunt for the person of interest in the fatal ambush of a Harris County deputy.

Search for person of interest underway after sheriff's deputy killed in ambush, sheriff says Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez posted about the shooting early Thursday morning. Deputy Fernando Esqueda was 28 years old and a five-year veteran of HCSO.

Our Texas Fallen Heroes Family Networking will be hosting a meet-and-greet dinner this Friday, July 12th, in the Tyler area. If you are a survivor of a fallen first responder (fire, EMS, LEO) and you would like to attend, please fill out this form and we will contact you with more details.

Texas Fallen Heroes Family Network Please click the link to complete this form.

Our Family Care Team is getting close to finalizing some upcoming family-friendly events around Texas for our Fallen Heroes Family Network!

If you are a survivor, to ensure you are included in these upcoming events, we kindly ask you to share your contact information with us. By doing so, we can keep you informed and extend invitations to all the gatherings and commemorations we have planned.

Please reach out to us here or fill out the form at https://form.jotform.com/241096917368063 so we can stay connected and ensure you don't miss any important updates.

Thank you for allowing us the honor of including you in these special events.

With gratitude,
Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force
Family Care Team

Texas Fallen Heroes Family Network Please click the link to complete this form.

Family and friend of fallen firefighter Kevin Sanders participate in the Annual Run to Remember Virtual 5K!

Check out this upcoming event that supports the Texas LODD Task Force!

Fallen First Responder Awareness Month starts today!

Throughout the month of May the Texas LODD Task Force will be honoring the fallen, remembering their co-workers and loved ones left behind, and paying tribute to those first responders that continue to serve.

We want you to get involved! Help us spread the word! Wear purple on Dress In Purple Day on May 9th (or any other day in May), participate in our contests, post a hero on our Tribute Wall. There are so many ways that we can honor our fallen and thank those that have carried on the work! make sure you send us your pictures of wearing purple!

We send our most heartfelt condolences to the HCSO and to the family and loved ones of Deputy Coddou.

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Investigator John H. Coddou (50). He was assisting at a crash scene this morning when he was hit by a vehicle.

Deputy dies after being struck by vehicle while assisting another crash on Grand Parkway in northwest Harris County A deputy has died after he was struck by a vehicle Tuesday morning in northwest Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week this week, the Texas LODD Task Force would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the incredible volunteers who have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to making a difference in the lives of the families, first responders, and emergency services agencies we serve.

Their selfless commitment to helping others is truly inspiring; and they have consistently gone above and beyond, lending a helping hand wherever it's needed most. Their compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication serve as a shining example of the power of volunteerism. They have shown that every act of service, no matter how small, can create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond what we can see.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a diverse and talented group of volunteers who bring their unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to our organization. Their contributions have not only enriched our programs but have also fostered a sense of unity and purpose within our community.

As we reflect on the last 12 months, we are humbled by the challenges we've faced together. Despite personal losses and tragedies, each of them has remained steadfast in their commitment to serving others. Their resilience and adaptability have been nothing short of remarkable, and we are grateful for their continued support!

The Texas Rangers MLB's First Responder Appreciation games are back! Here are the dates for this year's event:

- Saturday, April 27th v Reds at 3:05PM
- Sunday, September 8th v Angels at 1:35PM

Support the Texas Rangers and first responders around the Metroplex as we host our annual First Responders Day at Globe Life Field. $3 from each ticket purchased will be donated to the Texas LODD Task Force.

Each ticket includes your choice of a first responders-themed Texas Rangers hat OR a unique first responders challenge coin, courtesy of Globe Life, while supplies last.

Coins/hats can be picked up inside the ballpark at the Theme Night kiosk behind Section 101 near Guest Services until the end of the 3rd inning. You must have a First Responders Night ticket (available through this link) to receive a coin or hat.

Register today for the April game: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Texaslodd8

If you lost a first responder in the line of duty and have not registered with our organization to participate in networking events, please fill out the form attached to this link: https://form.jotform.com/241096917368063. Our Family Care team will reach out to you ASAP.

Your information will not be given or sold to any other individual, business, or organization.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that nominations for the 2024 Star of Texas Awards, which honor peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders, and federal law enforcement who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, are now open. Nominations are due to the Office of the Governor by June 13, 2024.

“Each year, the Star of Texas Awards recognize the ultimate sacrifices our peace officers, firefighters, and first responders make in service to our state,” said Governor Abbott. “These brave men and women answered a higher calling, putting their lives in danger to protect their communities and keep their fellow Texans safe. It is an honor to recognize the heroic and exemplary leadership of these selfless individuals who were injured or killed in the line of duty. Texas is forever grateful for these unsung heroes.”

To be eligible for the 2024 award, the critical incident must have occurred between September 1, 2003 and June 13, 2024. Nominations can also be made for private citizens who were seriously injured or killed while aiding or attempting to aid a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical first responder in the performance of their duties.

The nomination form can be accessed through the Governor’s Office website at: gov.texas.gov/organization/cjd/star-of-texas

We are so grateful for the men and women that step up and be the first to respond to an individual in crisis. Thank you for being the first, first responder. You are the heroes that are heard but are rarely seen but are the ones that make a lasting impression on everyone you serve!

This year, we will combine our annual Run to Remember Virtual 5K with Fallen First Responder Awareness Month in May.

Registration for Run to Remember opens April 1st and the Virtual 5K will run May 1st through May 31st.

Service Information for Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith

VISTITATION
Friday 3/8 5-7pm
Celebration Family Church
811 E. Broadway St.
Fritch, TX 79036

FUNERAL
Saturday 3/9 11am
Grace Church
401 Gardner St
Borger, TX 79007

Funeral Home
Minton Chatwell
314 S. Hedgecoke
Borger, TX 79007

**Immediate Needs**
Personnel for soft watch; today through Saturday morning. Honor Guard personnel for detail assignments at funeral service Saturday. If you are available and wish to assist, please email [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fritch, Texas - March 5, 2024

With profound sorrow, on behalf of the City of Fritch, we announce the passing of Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith, who bravely responded to a structure fire earlier today. Chief Smith, a dedicated public servant, was the first on the scene, demonstrating his unwavering commitment and service to the Fritch community.

During the response, Chief Smith faced unforeseen challenges and, despite emergency medical assistance and quick transportation to Golden Plains Community Hospital, tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Chief Zeb Smith served the Fritch and Hutchinson County community with selflessness and dedication. His exemplary leadership was evident in his tireless efforts over the past week, where he worked diligently to protect and safeguard his community and fellow citizens.

In this time of profound loss, our thoughts and condolences go out to Chief Smith's family, friends, and the entire Fritch community. We honor Chief Zeb Smith's legacy of service and express our deepest gratitude for his contributions to public safety.

A memorial service to celebrate Chief Smith's life and honor his service will be announced at a later date.

Additional information will be released later. For media inquiries, please contact Brandon Strope at [email protected].

***URGENT FROM National Fallen Firefighters Foundation*** We are at a critical juncture for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Programs. Unless Congress acts soon, the programs will be eliminated and cease to exist permanently. This will mean thousands of fire departments across the nation will no longer have access to funds for the equipment, training, and staffing they need to protect their communities and keep firefighters safe.

The grant programs face a statutory sunset on September 30, 2024 -- just a few months from now. The national fire and emergency services organizations have collectively been working hard to enact the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870/H.R.4090), which would reauthorize AFG, SAFER, and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). While USFA is not in danger of being eliminated, it is important to reauthorize the agency to ensure it has the authority it needs to carry out its mission. The grant programs are in danger of being eliminated and we are working hard to save them, but we need your help.

Please call or write to your Representatives and Senators today. Our colleagues at the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) have created a landing page with more information on how to contact your members of Congress, as well as talking points for calls and sample letters to send via email. Please take action by going to https://www.cfsi.org/support-afg-safer-and-usfa-take-action-now/ today.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sean Carroll (NFFF Government Relations Director), [email protected].

Support AFG, SAFER, and USFA: Take Action Now! - Congressional Fire Services Institute Congress established the AFG grant program in 2000. For over 20 years, the program has served as a vital source of funding for many career, combination, and volunteer departments that continue to do more with less. With these grants, departments can purchase equipment, training, and other department...

Save the Date!

1st Responder Conferences Presents
1st Responder Mental Health and Wellness

Co-hosted by Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office
Endorsed by El Paso Fire Department, Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force and Cypress Creek Fire Rescue

March 7-8, 2024, from 8am-4pm
Wyndham El Paso Airport - 2027 Airway El Paso, TX

Seating is limited - Register today:
https://app.clearevent.com/event/41b2df19-a5cd-4e82-a5ad-88ff7f67c759

We have a fantastic line-up of speakers:
🔹 Chief Jason Corthell Founder of Ironclad Wellness
🔹 Cinnamon Reiheld, Founder, Clinician and Trainer of Whole House Counseling and Consultation
🔹 Marco Parzych (Lt Col, USAF Ret.), Founder & Executive Director of Mission Ready Finances
🔹 Tim Sears, Director of First Responders for Stronger Families and Scott Welch, M. Div., MA, BCPC
🔹 John Chambliss, Firefighter and Owner of 48str8
🔹 Ryan Dedmon, Outreach Director, 911 Training Institute
🔹 Danny Hill, Firefighter, Pedernales Fire Department
🔹 Antonio Zarzoza, Lead Instructor at Instructor Z and Associates and First H.E.L.P
🔹 Lieutenant Darin Bayles, Round Rock Police Department
🔹 Deliris "DMB" Montanez, Ceo for Equestrian Holistic Retreat Getaway for Those Who Serve US, LLC