Lawmakers honor fallen heroes, encourage donations to fund

Published: Friday, Feb. 3 2012 1:50 p.m. MST

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Supporters of The Utah 1033 Foundation gather around Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, second from right, to thank him for sponsoring the SCR1, which supports the foundation that gives assistance to families of fallen officers, at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. The resolution overwhelmingly passed.

Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Summary

The Utah Senate paid tribute Friday to founders and supporters of the 1033 Foundation, which provides immediate financial assistance to families of fallen police officers and firefighters.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate paid tribute Friday to founders and supporters of the 1033 Foundation, which provides immediate financial assistance to families of fallen police officers and firefighters.

The foundation was founded by Tore and Mona Steen of Park City and supported by a number of state law enforcement organizations, law firms and Zions Bank. It provides, within 24 hours of an officer's or firefighter's death, $25,000 to his or her family for expenses.

Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden, said he felt a sense of "indebtedness" to the foundation and the one officer slain and five others wounded while serving a drug warrant in Ogden on Jan. 4.

"I'd like to recognize those in Ogden who apparently were the first recipients of these grants," said Reid, referring to Weber-Morgan Narcotics Task Force agent Jared Francom.

Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, sponsor of SCR1, honoring the foundation, encouraged Utahns to also contribute to foundation, which plans to grow its endowment to the point it can also provide college scholarships to surviving children.

— Marjorie Cortez

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