Beckley, WV (WOAY) This Friday, Beckley police officers, in partnership with the Beckley Police Alumni Association, hand-delivered baskets of fresh produce to widows of fallen officers. Sergeant John Legursky said that it feels good to do his part:
“I think it goes back to the legacy of the agency. You know, we want to remember those people that came before us and honor them appropriately.”
The Beckley Police Department Alumni Association has traditionally given Christmas gifts to the widows of fallen officers, but thanks in part to a partnership with Homemade Homegrown, they have expanded to Mother’s Day and a summer surprise. Don Lilly, a retired officer and representative of the Alumni Association, awarded Erin Smith with a plaque for her business’s help:
“She’s partnered with us for the last two years, and she’s just really knocked it out of the park for us. And she’s created some fantastic gifts for us to give, and she’s always eager to work with us any time we need her; she’s right there with us, so we wanted to thank her for all of that.”
Beyond the gifts, the in-person deliveries remind the widows and their families that they will always be part of a community that cares. Hilda Gray, widow of Sergeant Alan Gray, read the card delivered with her basket:
“My card says, ‘Just a note to say thank you for being a part of the Beckley PD family, and we miss Big Al every day. We are here for you. – Tim Barry and the Alumni Association.’ I just want to thank the Beckley Police Department for everything they’ve done in memory of my husband, Al.”
Gray wanted to make it clear that her police family takes care of her even outside of special occasions:
“Just very grateful to all of them. And for all that they’ve done for all of us widows. And it’s not just when somebody is going to be filmed. They’re here all the time. They clear my driveway; they mow my grass… Anything I need. And they are a true brotherhood.”
Don Lilly said that making the widows and their fallen officers feel remembered is what the alumni association is all about. According to Gray, that’s exactly what they do:
“Al would still be doing it if he could. That’s how much he enjoyed it… They have honored Al’s memory, and all the other fallen police officers… They don’t forget them. And in this time, you know, that’s a rare thing. So I just thank them so much.”
