Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch has combined efforts with the North Georgia Community Foundation and several local businesses to create the Blane Dixon Fallen Heroes Fund; this fund will be used to support families of fallen first responders.
According to a press release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the fund is named in honor of Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon, who was killed in the line of duty. The announcement about the creation of the fund comes just days after the one-year anniversary of Dixon’s death.
The fund was created to support families of first responders, including municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement officers, who may lose their lives while serving citizens of Hall County. The funds will also be used to support families of firefighters and EMS personnel who serve in Hall County.
“When Deputy Dixon was killed in the line of duty last year, the outpouring of support for Dixon’s family, largely in the form of financial contributions, was overwhelming. Coordination of that support was a challenge, and it became clear that having a comprehensive plan would have been beneficial,” said Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch. “Fortunately, we were approached by a group of local business leaders with that concept in mind, and through a collaborative effort with the NGCF, we now have a solid strategy in place. It’s our sincere hope that this fund is never used, but if a similar tragedy ever occurs again, our community will be in a much better position to provide support.”
Initial money for the fund came from NGCF, with additional donations from the Roy C. Moore Foundation and Syfan Logistics. The fund is administered by NGCF and will be overseen by an advisory committee of local community leaders and public safety officials.
“At the Foundation we help people invest in the lives of those who call our community home. In this instance, we feel strongly about supporting the first responders who protect our community every day and are proud to have made the initial contribution to this fund,” said Michelle Prater, president and CEO of NGCF. “We encourage others to use this fund as an avenue to give back to our local heroes while also fulfilling their own charitable giving goals.”
The Blane Dixon Fallen Heroes Fund will rely on financial contributions from private citizens, local businesses, and organizations. Anyone willing to donate can do so at www.ngcf.org/donate or by contacting NGCF directly at 770-535-7880.
