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Group helps pay for officers to attend funerals

Posted at 5:51 PM, Mar 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-15 17:09:47-04

On the morning of Cpl. Nate Carrigan's memorial, officers from all over the country gathered to bid a finale farewell.  

Carrigan was shot and killed last month while serving an eviction notice.

Several officers taking part in Monday's funeral procession told Denver7 this always hit home for them.

Six New York City officers and two Chicago officers flew to Colorado to be at the procession.

“You sympathize being a father, brother or a son,” said NYPD officer Jonathan Sudsky who flew from New York to attend Carrigan’s funeral.

A non-profit organization called Brotherhood for the Fallen makes it possible for officers to travel to funerals and memorial services. 

The organization helps out with paying for officers to attend processions and financially helps the families of fallen officers, according to Officer Tim Jeffery who is the head of the Aurora chapter of the Brotherhood of the Fallen.

“For us to go out and support each other, not just on a local level but on a national level as well, has a huge impact,” said Jeffery.

Officer Johnathan Sudsky met Carrigan while saying good-bye to Deputy Derek Geer in Mesa County last month.

For Sudsky and every officer we rode with during the procession, the ride is a moment to reflect.

“You often reflecting on your own career, you are grateful for another day,” said Sudsky.

The recent number of law enforcement deaths are stretching the resources of the organization thin.

“This year alone we've gone to 11 of the 13 officers killed in the line of duty, so it adds up,” said Jeffery.

Officers often have to come up with their own money to fly and pay for all of the travel expenses to attend processions, according to Jeffery.

The Brotherhood of the Fallen rely primarily on donations from the community to help bring more officers to funerals and as well as provide support to the families.

To learn more on the organization and how you can show your support, click here.