Earlier this week, we reported on the tragic killing of two Kissimmee, Florida police officers shot down in the line of duty.
“Around 9:30 p.m. on Friday in Kissimmee, Florida, Sgt. Richard ‘Sam’ Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter were patrolling an area with a known drug problem in the north part of the city when they were gravely shot at. According to Kissimmee Chief Jeff O’Dell, the officers were searching several suspects when someone in the group opened fire. Neither Howard nor Baxter were able to return fire, leading O’Dell to speculate they ‘were surprised by the gunfire.’”
Left is Officer Matthew Baxter who died last night. Right is Sgt. Sam Howard who at this time is in grave critical condition @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/QKMuloGV0R
— Isabel Rosales (@RosalesReport) August 19, 2017
Officer Matthew Baxter was a 3-year veteran of the Kissimmee Police Department, but more importantly, a husband and loving father with four children under the age of five.
Sergeant Richard “Sam” Howard, a 10-year veteran of the department, is survived by his wife and 17-year-old daughter.
The senseless killing of these two heroes has left two families with a tough road ahead, but thanks to a great non-profit organization, Operation American Dream, there is a way to help. Two scholarship fundraisers for the fallen heroes’ five children have been launched to help secure their education.
To learn more about these officers and how to help their families, please visit the two pages Operation American Dream has set up in their honor:
Please continue to lift these two families up in your thoughts and prayers.