The National Fallen Officer Foundation is a "national" law enforcement support organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to public safety advocacy, supporting fallen officer families, and providing resources to mitigate risks for police across America. The National Fallen Officer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, focuses on three key pillars: raising awareness about officer safety threats, steadfast advocacy for law enforcement, and comprehensive assistance for families navigating the aftermath of losing an officer in the line of duty.
In recent years, as law enforcement has become more politicized, the National Fallen Officer Foundation has strived to maintain a balanced perspective by educating and consulting political leaders on policies affecting policing and community safety. This commitment has made the National Fallen Officer Foundation a dynamic organization that not only addresses systemic issues but also proactively develops solutions to mitigate risks for our serving officers.
The National Fallen Officer Foundation began its mission in 2008 as the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation following the tragic loss of a colleague. In 2017, due to our nationwide advocacy, the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation evolved into the National Fallen Officer Foundation with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Since our inception, community engagement has been at the core of our mission. It is our belief that without positive ties to the community, effective policing is impossible. That's why our Foundation has put countless hours into community engagement to help bridge the gap between the community and police departments nationwide. These interactions range from: attending schools to promote anti-bullying campaigns, visiting hospitals to show support for the sick, and speaking at community events to stop the violence in our inner-city communities.
The National Fallen Officer Foundation offers a range of vital services aimed at advocating for federal safety legislation, supporting the families of law enforcement and military officers killed in the line-of-duty and providing resources to mitigate risks for active duty officers.
The National Fallen Officer Foundation is dedicated to advocating for national public safety policy that safeguard both law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Our efforts focus on promoting initiatives that enhance safety measures, foster community trust, and uphold the well-being of all involved.
The National Fallen Officer Foundation provides comprehensive support to the families of fallen officers, including financial assistance, counseling services, and access to resources designed to help them navigate the challenging journey of grief and loss. Our goal is to ensure that these families receive the care and support they need during this difficult time.
One of the defining characteristics of the National Fallen Officer Foundation is our inclusive approach to providing support and assistance. Unlike many organizations, we do not require membership for families to receive benefits, nor do we place any restrictions on the donations made to these families. This ensures that our services are accessible to all those in need without any barriers or limitations.
The executive board of the National Fallen Officer Foundation is comprised of experienced law enforcement officials from diverse backgrounds and regions across the United States. Each member of our team is uniquely qualified and understands the challenges facing law enforcement in America today.
Sgt./Dr. Demetrick “Tre” Pennie is an active 22-year Dallas Police sergeant. He is the principle founder of the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation, the Texas Fallen Officer Foundation, and The National Fallen Officer Foundation (respectively). He is a strong advocate for: military service, education, philanthropy, community service and support for law enforcement.
He served 4-years of honorable service in the U.S. Army and currently teaches as a university professor. He holds several college degrees including: Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from Honolulu Community College, Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University, Masters Degree in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University and a Doctorate of Education from Texas Tech University.
In 2018, he was considered for a presidential appointment to the White House, and in 2020 & 2024, he ran for U.S. Congress. Dr. Pennie is nationally-recognized as a law enforcement advocate who has been featured in many mainstream television, radio and media publications.
Merlin Lofton is a 20-year “retired” veteran of the Dallas Police Department. Throughout his career, he patrolled some of the highest crime areas in the City of Dallas and has played a key role in helping to build the community policing relationship. Sgt. Lofton has not only jailed violent offenders for crimes, he has also served as a strong advocate for the children in underserved communities.
While serving as a leader of the Heroes, Cops and Kids organization, Sgt. Lofton implemented a program designed to bring police and the community closer together. He effectively bridged the gap for law enforcement by dressing as Captain America and counseling with the youth. Sgt. Lofton’s superhero character earned front page recognition of major news outlets across the United States.
Sgt. Lofton has also been the recipient of numerous prestigious police awards including: the Dallas Police Department’s Life Saving Award and the Meritorious Conduct Award. He has also remained an active participant of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas.
Officer Kerri C. Long has been with the Tyler Police Department for over 20 years. She has served in various units throughout the department including Patrol Operations and the Criminal Investigation Division. Kerri is currently assigned with the Investigation and Tactical Unit where she serves as a Community Resource Officer. Her responsibilities include the coordination of major public events, community meetings, and organizing direct communication between the police department and its citizens as a liaison for the department within her assigned area.
In addition to her regular assigned duties, Kerri is actively engaged and serves the department in a leadership capacity as an Explorer Advisor mentoring the young men and women of the Boy Scouts of America's Explorer Program. Additionally, Kerri serves the department by assisting in safety classes provided to the women of Tyler, Texas. Kerri has received several citations and awards during her service as a Tyler Police Officer. Further, she sits on the board of the East Texas Crime Prevention Association and is an active member of the East Texas Substance Abuse Coalition.
In her private capacity, Kerri serves as a member of the Fraud Squad with the Better Business Bureau for Tyler. Kerri also currently serves as the Vice President of the Texas Fallen Officer Foundation.
Ethan Stone has been a full stack web developer since 2001 and has managed websites for various political organizations at the local, state, and national level. He has worked with Sgt. Pennie since 2016 and currently maintains the National Fallen Officer Foundation and Texas Fallen Officer Foundation websites. In addition to web development and design, Ethan offers a wide array of technological services including video editing, server administration, email blasting, and social media administration. Ethan studied graphic design and basic accounting at Brigham Young University-Idaho where he completed a bachelor's degree in professional studies. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and three children.
Mark is the Principal Consultant of Monroy CFO Advisory Services LLC, which provides fractional CFO services to businesses primarily in the professional service industry. He most recently played an instrumental role with a $180 million revenue security/broker-dealer client in preparing and reviewing audited financial statements and quality of earnings reports for potential mergers. Last serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a 250+ attorney law firm, Mark helps businesses strategically devise a methodical plan to increase profitability, reduce expenses, and improve cash flow. He has led multiple businesses through ERP upgrades and implementations as well as the completion of cloud-based financial reporting platforms. His passion is helping businesses succeed through a servant leadership philosophy.
Mark holds a B.S. in Accounting and M.S in Accounting from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas.
To support the families of police officers killed or critically injured in the line of duty,
Get in Touch with our Law Enforcement Officials or Donate Now!
Serving throughout the United States of America.