That's a picture of me and my husband, Eric.
Eric is a Detective with the Kansas City Police Department.
I wanted to send a picture of us with our three beautiful children from a past Christmas -- but in this current political climate, I don't feel safe sharing photos of our kids on the Internet.
When I tell you what happened, I think you'll understand. And I pray that you'll find it in your heart to help me save my husband before it's too late.
You see, it all started five years ago in early December -- a few weeks before Christmas.
There was a report of two vehicles speeding through the city streets -- one was clearly chasing the other.
The suspect was a 26-year-old man chasing his ex-girlfriend in a stolen truck -- weaving across lanes and running through stoplights.
My husband and his partner responded to the call and when they caught up with the suspect, they got out of their police vehicles and approached the stolen truck while repeatedly ordering the suspect to STOP and SHOW HIS HANDS.
That's when it happened.
As Eric's partner approached the driver's side, the suspect reached into his waistband and pulled out a handgun -- pointing it directly at the detective.
My husband's police training kicked in.
He fired four rounds in the direction of the suspect through the truck's front windshield.
When my husband and his partner approached the car, they found the suspect deceased -- his arm hanging out the open window with a .45 semi-automatic pistol on the ground below.
That night, when Eric returned home, I hugged him and burst into tears. I was so thankful he was safe.
But several months later, the local prosecutor charged Eric with MANSLAUGHTER and Armed Criminal Action.
I was in shock.
Then late last year, my husband finally went to trial. The judge ruled against him -- and Eric was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Now you understand why I'm asking for your help today.
My husband is an honest man of integrity who followed in his father's law enforcement footsteps. Eric himself is a decorated, 21-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department.
My husband is a hero.
But it didn't matter to the prosecutor that the suspect recklessly swerved a stolen truck through city streets… that he was violent toward his ex-girlfriend and endangered the lives of her two children… that he pointed a stolen gun directly at a police officer.
And since the Missouri Supreme Court recently declined to take up Eric's case, he'll stay imprisoned for six years unless he receives a pardon from the Governor of Missouri.
He's already been separated from us for over a year and now, for a second Christmas, our home will be left without the father and husband we love.
Even if Eric's good name is eventually cleared, just thinking about the cost of his defense and now our efforts to get him pardoned is overwhelming…
... but thank God we got a call from Jason Johnson, President of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (LELDF).
If you've ever heard of LELDF you know they're a national group fighting on behalf of wrongly accused police officers like Eric.
LELDF has helped dozens of innocent cops -- and their families -- at their lowest moments.
And with the thought of trying to suddenly raise our three children alone -- I was certainly at one of the lowest moments of my life.
But as a non-profit organization, LELDF depends solely on generous gifts from folks like you to defend officers like Eric.
So I must ask you one of the toughest questions I've ever asked anyone.
Will you donate $35 or any amount to LELDF today to help save my husband?
If I had anywhere else to turn, I wouldn't be so bold as to ask for your help.
But I am so scared for Eric and I will do whatever I can for him -- and for our children.
So I pray you'll find it in your heart this Christmas season to make a tax-deductible gift of $35, $50, $100 or more to the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund.
Eric and I -- and our three kids -- are counting on the good nature and generosity of kind neighbors like you to help bring Eric home where he belongs.
No matter what you're able to give today, please pray for us. Thank you in advance for your support.
