We also send cards to acknowledge illnesses, births and deaths in the family. One officer who was out on leave for a while told me how much it meant to him that he got a card from us and that we were thinking of him during that time.

We provided food for the family for three days. We also raised enough money to assist with bills for a couple of months while he was out of work.

We deliberately didn't want it to be just wives. We're open to all family members and significant others. We have the mother and step-father of a deputy on our board and we have a husband who's been very active.