Holiday for Heroes
Meals delivered to families of slain officers
As cheerful as the holidays can be, they can also be difficult for families who have lost a loved one.
That’s why on Tuesday, Nov. 20, police departments from all around the Delaware Valley came to offer a holiday meal and good company to those families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
The rumble of police motorcycles could be heard late Tuesday morning on Fox Lane as police officers pulled up to the home of Lynsay Fox and her children, Kadence, 6, and Brad Jr., 5. Police arrived to deliver a special Thanksgiving dinner to remind the Fox family that they have not been forgotten.
“They do this every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. They bring up a fully cooked meal for our family,” explained Fox. “It’s just a sign that we’re not forgotten about even though Brad was killed in the line of duty. It’s most meaningful to the kids because they were so young, and not born, when Brad was killed and this is a constant reminder for them that their dad will never be forgotten. They’ve kind of grown up with this. This is their normal.”
Lynsay Fox is the widow of Plymouth Township Police Officer Brad Fox who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 13, 2012 while in pursuit of a suspect following a call for a hit-and-run. Her daughter Kadence was not yet one year old and Fox was pregnant with Brad Jr. when Brad was killed.
“It’s heartwarming,” added Fox. “It’s just a con- stant reminder for us that we’re still very much loved and cared for and it is just one big, happy family. These are all my kids’ uncles. People laugh and say they have so many uncles but that’s our blue family.”
The seasonal visits aren’t just a reminder for the families either. Police officers look forward to making trips to see the families because it gives them a chance to give back to the families who have already lost so much.
“Brad Fox worked with Plymouth Township Police Department and some of the people here were working his shift the night that he was killed,” said Karen Mavry with Plymouth Township Police Department. “They’re always involved with that and they always like to make sure that families aren’t forgotten during the holidays. Brad’s legacy isn’t forgotten and we make sure we take care of the kids during the holiday season.”
The Fox home was the second family officers visited Thursday. The motorcade traveled from Lower Gwynedd where they made their first delivery to Officer Richard Lawn’s family. Lawn was a 15-year veteran of the Lower Gwynedd Police Department when he died July 28, 2003, following treatment for injuries sustained in a patrol car crash.
Police arrived at the Fox home at around 11 a.m. where they delivered a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, provided by Sunnybrook Golf Club and stayed a while to visit with Lynsay and her children.