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Poet Daniel T. Dunbar wrote the following poem:

“I Saw a Policeman Crying”

I saw a policeman crying, on the news the other day; a sheet upon his partner, as they carried him away. Who are these people really, with lights of flashing blue, they’re simply men and women, a lot like me and you. The job is very thankless, and quite misunderstood, we rarely see the caring, and seldom see the good. They shield us with their badges, and protect us with their lives, normal human beings, with husbands, kids and wives. When an officer has fallen, we all should wear a tear, for those who wear the badges, and work in all the gear. I saw a policeman crying, on the news the other day; a sheet upon his partner, as they carried him away.

In the fall of 2001, a group of concerned citizens joined together to found the Hill Country 100 Club, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization. The 100 Club operates with an all-volunteer staff with no other administrative expenses. Consequently, all donated money is immediately available for its intended purposes. The purpose of the club is to assist dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty.

Funds donated are utilized when a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical service provider is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty as well as purchasing life saving equipment in hopes of avoiding such tragedy. When a tragedy takes the life of one of these individuals, funds are used to assist the surviving spouse and any dependent children.

According to the website The100Club.com, “assistance will begin after The 100 Club has received written notification confirming a line of duty death has occurred from the chief executive officer of the involved agency and that the deceased officer or firefighter had dependents. Financial assistance is not provided in line of duty deaths where there are no surviving dependents.

Upon written notification of the line of duty death, The 100 Club will present the surviving spouse with a letter expressing condolences from the Board and $10,000 to assist with any immediate financial needs. This presentation usually takes place within 72 hours of notification.

When the time is appropriate, representatives of the Benefits Committee will contact the surviving spouse to make arrangements to meet and discuss the family’s financial situation. The result of that meeting will be shared with the full Benefits Committee who will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for approval. After approval, the family will be presented with the Club’s gift.”

Sheriff Bill Elsbury stated that “During my tenure as Blanco County Sheriff I have been approached many times by concerned citizens who wish to support public safety efforts. History has proven that the 100 Clubs across the State of Texas are the vehicle whereby individual citizens can collectively make a difference. Blanco County has officially joined the Hill Country 100 Club and will be soliciting membership as of March 1, 2008.”

Sheriff Elsbury further stated that he would like to encourage the residents of Blanco County to “support the survivors of fallen and or injured law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel. These are the people that provide service to our community twenty-four hours a day.”

If you are interested in joining the 100 Club, the individual memberships cost $100.00 per year, business memberships are $250.00 per year. Lifetime memberships can also be purchased for $1,000.00. Applications for membership can be obtained at your local law enforcement office. For additional information residents may contact either Director Lynn Boyd in Blanco at 830-833-5719 or Director David O’Bannon in Johnson City at 830-868-2090. You can also visit the website at www.hillcountry100club.org.