11 Years of Milestones

Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes was founded eleven years ago when Oakland Police Sergeants Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans, Daniel Sakai and Motor Officer John Hege were senselessly killed in the line of duty. Their sacrifice and legacy carry on in our Mission Statement: 

"Our families and communities are safe because of the sacrifices made by first responders and their families.  We honor Peace Officers and Firefighters who make the ultimate sacrifice during the performance of their duties and offer lasting emotional and financial support to the families and agencies left behind."

The first milestone of our journey occurred on July 1, 2009 when we officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  That event was followed by many more significant ‘firsts’:

• April 2010: Tribute Golf Tournament for the four fallen OPD Officers with $40,000 going to their families
• March 2011: Oakland Raiders Partnership and Tribute Game dedicated to First Responders
• May 2012: Our first donation to the Scholarship Fund - $10,000 From Clint Eastwood
• September 2012: Over $26,000 presented to fallen CHP Officer Youngstrom’s Family
• June 2013: First scholarships awarded to 3 children of Fallen Heroes
• July 2015: Famous Dave’s BBQ partnership for Hayward Sgt. Lunger Family Fund
• February 2016: Established our ‘Help for Heroes Fund’
• August 2018: California Pizza Kitchen partnership for Long Beach Fire Capt. Rosa Family Fund
• June 2019: Officially registered as a nonprofit in The State of Nevada

Over the past eleven years and through our two major programs, Help For Heroes and our Scholarship Fund, we’ve been able to award 65 scholarships and give over $500,000 in aid to families and agencies who have lost a beloved hero in the line of duty. And this is just the beginning! We want to do more, with your help. We look forward to your future involvement, which as you can see, directly benefits the families of those heroes who have sacrificed so much for our safety. 

Thomas D. Gallinatti

CEO