About | National Fallen Officer Foundation

Our Story

From Dallas to the Nation’s Capital

Founded in 2008 as the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation after the loss of a colleague, we grew into the National Fallen Officer Foundation in 2017, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

We raise awareness of officer-safety threats, advocate for law enforcement, and deliver hands-on support to families navigating the unthinkable — with no membership required and no restrictions on the help we provide.

What We Do

Three Pillars

Advocacy

Shaping national public-safety policy that protects officers and the communities they serve.

Family Support

Financial assistance, counseling referrals, and a community that never forgets.

Awareness

Educating the public on the real risks officers face every single day.

Leadership

Our Executive Board

Sgt. Merlin Lofton

Chief Executive Officer

A 20-year retired veteran of the Dallas Police Department, Sgt. Lofton leads the Foundation’s strategy and operations. Known for his work with at-risk youth through the Heroes, Cops, and Kids initiative, he is a recipient of the Dallas PD Life Saving Award and Meritorious Conduct Award.

Kerri Long

Director of Records / Secretary

A 20-plus-year officer with the Tyler Police Department, Kerri serves as a Community Resource Officer coordinating public events and outreach. She mentors youth through the Explorer Program and serves as Vice President of the Texas Fallen Officer Foundation.

Ethan Stone

Director of Digital Strategy

A digital strategist and full-stack web architect with two decades of experience, Ethan oversees all web operations for the National and Texas Fallen Officer Foundations. He holds a degree from Brigham Young University–Idaho.

Mark Monroy

Financial Consultant

Principal of Monroy CFO Advisory Services and former CFO of a 250+ attorney law firm, Mark guides the Foundation’s finances. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Dallas.

Honoring Sacrifice. Protecting the Mission.