Families of Fallen Heroes

On November 5, 2008, Darnita Riggins’ world was turned upside down when her husband was killed in the line of duty. Capt. Leonard Riggins, Sr. of the St. Louis Fire Department was shot and killed when he stopped on his way home in uniform to […]

Like many kids, Cole Ziegler, son of fallen hero Deputy Sheriff Steven Ziegler, EOW 09/30/01, dreamed of playing football. He has loved the sport since he was old enough to catch a football, and attended every high school game he could while in grade school. […]

You met Whitney Neal, daughter of St. Louis County Police Detective Willie Neal, Jr., EOW 1/29/97, last year. When Whitney was featured in the June 2016 issue of The BackStoppers newsletter, she was enrolled in a competitive Pathologists’ Assistant program and looking ahead to her […]

This fall, Dr. Adam Snyder organized a golf tournament honoring the memory of his younger brother, fallen hero Officer Blake Snyder.  Dedicated friends Pat and Kim Lawrence, Wesley Strowmatt, and Toby Henesey made up the organizing committee, and the event was a fantastic success.  Held […]

Today is the nine-year anniversary of the death of Sgt. Jeffry Kowalski of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, EOW 10/01/08. His daughter, Madison, shares her father’s legacy and how she finds strength after the unimaginable. “It's going on 10 years now. A decade. Think of […]

Elizabeth Snyder and her family are starting a new chapter of life accompanied with challenges and change. Courageously she remains to shine a light and honor her husband, Officer Blake Snyder of the St. Louis County Police Department, EOW 10/06/2016. Months have passed since Blake […]

Jeremy Branson, the son of fallen hero, Officer James Branson, Jr., EOW 3/9/03, is about to start his senior year at Saint Louis University. Jeremy is majoring in Psychology with a minor in African Studies and pre-law. Upon graduation, he plans to attend the Howard […]

Ralph Tatoian, Jr. has started his journey of service by recently graduating Basic Training at, “Sand Hill” Fort Benning, Georgia. He is continuing to display the bravery and courage shown by his father, Trooper Ralph Tatoian of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C, EOW 4/20/2005. […]

The BackStoppers is now assisting the family of Captain John Kemper of the St. Louis Fire Department who died in the line of duty on July 12, 2017 as a result of injuries sustained battling a structural fire on July 5, 2017. Capt. Kemper, who was 59-years old, was […]

Faces of The BackStoppers is a moving new video showcasing the families we assist and how your support has impacted their lives.  Help us raise awareness of the need to support the families of fallen heroes by sharing the video today. Thank you for your support!