By: Sheri Mellquest
Line-of-duty tragedies strike swiftly and leave lasting impacts. Since its founding, Behind the Badge Foundation (BtBF) has been a constant source of strength for Washington state’s law enforcement family. The Foundation’s mission is clear: to honor and support officers and their families through memorials, essential resources and community programs. This includes stewardship of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial and the provision of immediate, trauma-informed support following line-of-duty deaths or serious injuries.
The vision for BtBF began in 1995 when Sgt. Frank Kampsen of the Seattle Police Department, along with fellow officers and surviving family members, recognized that Washington lacked a statewide memorial to honor fallen law enforcement. Determined to fill that gap, the group incorporated the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation in 1997 and spent the next decade fundraising, planning and building community support. Their commitment culminated in the 2006 dedication of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia—a tribute that the Foundation continues to preserve today in honor of those who gave their lives in the line of service.
Response and Support After Crisis
When tragedy strikes, BtBF provides resources and support for law enforcement families, other police officers, survivors, law enforcement agencies, community supporters and even the media. The support may include help navigating the different available resources including wellness tools, mental health resources, family retreats, training, podcasts and so much more.
Beyond crisis response, the Foundation’s offerings include education, support and community building for those touched by law enforcement tragedies in Washington. From trauma-informed materials, grief support, coping strategies, and toolkits available to agencies, officers and families, BtBF continues to support anyone impacted by a line-of-duty tragedy.
Education, Advocacy and Community Building
BtBF also uses advocacy to raise awareness of officer wellness, promoting knowledge and prevention of duty-related deaths. These resources are available to anyone in or around law enforcement to help support those behind the badge. The Foundation also advocates and speaks on behalf of the survivors, sharing their stories and seeking continued support for those impacted by line-of-duty tragedy.
The Foundation has become indispensable across the state of Washington. Its swift, empathetic intervention in times of loss, combined with its ability to provide ongoing support, strengthens professional communities, eases emotional burden, and helps provide agency guidance and cohesion when it matters most.
Zetron’s Partnership: A Model of Meaningful Engagement
Zetron, a leader in mission critical communications, has long been a committed partner of BtBF with consistent fundraising and volunteer support. Zetron’s Shoot for the Stars Golf tournament has raised funds through many years of the golfing fundraiser to benefit the Foundation and its important mission. Additionally, Zetron encourages employees residing in Washington State to purchase the BtBF customized license plate. A portion of the fees for the custom plate goes directly to BtBF, plus Zetron triples the donation match amount of those purchased by employees.
Beyond financial contributions, Zetron’s partnership exemplifies community engagement in action. Employees regularly volunteer their time, participating in the Foundation’s own golf tournament and other events. This hands-on involvement extends Zetron’s support beyond fundraising. Our employees create meaningful connections between public safety professionals, their families and the broader community. Giving back to the community we serve is an integral part of who the employees of Zetron are, and we’re honored to support BtBF.
Giving Back to the Law Enforcement Community
The work of BtBF is a reminder that supporting law enforcement is more than honoring sacrifice. It is about ensuring families, agencies and communities have the resources they need to heal and carry on. By preserving the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial, offering trauma-informed care, and advocating for wellness and prevention, the Foundation provides a comprehensive support network at the moments it is needed most.
Zetron’s support of vital organizations like BtBF demonstrates our commitment to groups that stand alongside public safety professionals in meaningful, lasting ways. Together, we ensure that those who serve—and those who have fallen—are never forgotten.
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Picture credit: Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial photo taken from the Behind the Badge Foundation website.
