Dear Friend,
When a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, the public response is often swift and heartfelt: candlelight vigils, flag-draped coffins, final radio calls, and tributes from politicians and local leaders. But when the ceremonies end and the cameras turn off, the families left behind are thrown into chaos—and that’s when the real pain begins.
Funeral expenses arrive before the death certificate.
Paychecks stop, but the bills don’t.
And the very people we expect to protect and support these families? They’re often tangled in red tape.
Police unions and federal programs promise assistance, but that help is buried in paperwork, eligibility requirements, and delays that can stretch on for months.
That’s why we created Back the Badge 911, a rapid-response initiative from the National Center for Police Defense.
Because when a family loses their hero, they shouldn’t also lose their home.
They shouldn’t have to drain their savings to bury their loved one.
They shouldn’t have to go into debt just to fly their relatives in to say goodbye.
And they shouldn’t have to wait.
Rush a donation now to support Back the Badge 911
Your gift provides urgent relief to grieving police families—within days, not months.
Back the Badge 911 fills the gap that the system can’t—or won’t—fill.
We provide fast, meaningful, no-strings-attached financial support within days of tragedy.
No paperwork.
No waiting.
Just help.
We launched this program because we saw a heartbreaking need—and we couldn’t stand by.
Police officers across the country are under attack. Not just from violent criminals, but from activist prosecutors, media smear campaigns, and politicians who’ve made law enforcement the scapegoat for everything wrong in society.
This dangerous climate has made policing more difficult, more thankless—and more deadly.
When we formed the National Center for Police Defense in 2015, we focused on defending officers facing legal battles.
But as the attacks escalated—more ambushes, more funerals, more shattered families—we knew we had to do more.
We couldn’t just defend the badge. We had to back it.
That’s how Back the Badge 911 was born.
This program is about more than just writing a check.
It’s about showing up.
It’s about honoring sacrifice with action.
It’s about ensuring no grieving law enforcement family is left to fend for themselves.
In May 2024, Officer Jacob Derbin of Euclid, Ohio responded to a domestic disturbance call.
He was just 23 years old.
When a terrified woman told him her violent ex-boyfriend was hiding in the backyard, Derbin didn’t hesitate.
He walked into danger—and was ambushed and killed.
Even as he lay mortally wounded, Officer Derbin used his final breath to warn his fellow officers, likely saving their lives.
His courage was extraordinary. His loss, devastating.
Just days after the shooting, Back the Badge 911 sent a $1,000 emergency donation to Officer Derbin’s family to help with urgent expenses.
We didn’t wait for paperwork. We didn’t ask them to “apply.” We acted.
And then, to ensure his memory lives on, we minted a custom challenge coin in his honor—something his loved ones could hold onto forever.
That $1,000 was only the beginning.
Our goal is to grow that into $25,000—and do the same for every family of a fallen officer in the future.
With your help, we will.
The traditional support systems just aren’t built for speed.
The Fraternal Order of Police requires families to contact local benefit coordinators, gather official documentation, and wait for approval.
The Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program can take months—sometimes years—to process a claim.
And department-based funds? They depend on internal board votes, budgets, and administrative bureaucracy.
Meanwhile, bills pile up.
Rent is due.
Flights are booked.
Caskets are chosen.
That’s why Back the Badge 911 is different.
When tragedy strikes, we move now—because time matters.
Families shouldn’t have to crowdfund their own survival after a line-of-duty death.
They shouldn’t be forced to explain to their children why there’s no money for groceries just days after losing a parent.
They shouldn’t have to figure out how to pay for burial costs, therapy sessions, mortgage payments, or a flight for Grandma to attend the funeral.
That’s what we’re here for.
And when you donate to Back the Badge 911, you’re not just helping with expenses—you’re helping build a legacy.
Officer Derbin’s mother has since created the Jacob Derbin Foundation, offering $1,400 scholarships (a tribute to his badge number, 14) to students who embody his character and courage.
His former classmates are fundraising for a memorial stone at his high school to ensure his sacrifice is never forgotten.
These efforts are possible because his family had the resources—and support—to get through those first few devastating weeks.
We want to make that possible for every officer’s family.
And sadly, we know there will be more.
Every day in this country, law enforcement officers risk their lives.
They face danger not knowing whether they’ll come home at night.
They’re expected to run toward the gunfire, break up domestic disputes, pull over reckless drivers, and de-escalate impossible situations—often in communities where politicians have turned the public against them.
And when things go wrong, they don’t just lose their lives.
Their families lose everything.
You can change that.
When you give to Back the Badge 911, you ensure that we’re ready to act the next time a tragedy occurs.
Whether it’s sending a check within 48 hours, organizing a fundraiser, designing a memorial coin, or helping a widow keep her home, your gift goes directly to where it’s needed most.
The truth is, our police are under siege.
They’re being attacked from every direction.
And while they’re out there protecting us, they need to know someone is protecting their families.
That someone is us.
That someone is you.
This is your chance to show you back the blue—not just in words, but in action.
Back the Badge 911 isn’t a political statement. It’s a lifeline. t’s a promise.
It’s proof that in the darkest moments, the American people will step up and support the heroes who put their lives on the line for us every single day.
If you’ve ever wondered how to stand up for law enforcement in a real, tangible way—this is it.
Your donation doesn’t go to overhead, media campaigns, or bloated bureaucracy.
It goes straight to the families who need it most, when they need it most.
We can’t bring back fallen officers.
But together, we can ensure their families are never forgotten.
Together, we can send a message that their sacrifice mattered—and that America still stands with her protectors.
Click here to donate now and support grieving police families today
For the families.
For the fallen.
For the badge.
Gratefully,
Jim Fotis
