Fallen Heroes Wreath program honors law enforcement officials, firefighters during holidays

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KSAZ) - The Arizona Fallen Heroes Wreath Program celebrates its third year of honoring law enforcement officials in Arizona who were killed in the line of duty. This year the program will include all of Arizona's fallen firefighters because no hero should be forgotten.

"It is up to us to make sure their memories live on," says Erin Morgan, coordinator.

A lot of time and care goes into assembling each wreath.

"I feel like every person who passed deserves to have a Christmas," said Morgan.

That's because they represent the sacrifices made by so many.

"We always remember our fallen, we take care of those who have passed in the line of duty and we continue to take care of their families," said Marshall Zeable, firefighter.

For the third year in a row now, volunteers are making wreaths for the fallen officers in our states.

"Our motto is as long as we speak their names they will never be forgotten," said Morgan.

This program began in 2014 in Philadelphia with one cemetery and 14 fallen officers. In 2016 Arizona chapter coordinator Erin Morgan started honoring our state heroes.

"The families that are a part of it they appreciate it, they let me know how much it means to them and then there are others the wound is still kind of raw, they watch from a distance, they know we're doing it, they'll visit the cemeteries after to see the wreaths," explained Morgan.

This year 500 wreaths will be distributed to various state agencies and laid on the tombs of the men and women who paid the ultimate price.

"It's an act of love, it's a service that I believe is important to these men and women who died protecting us and some of them have no family left to remember them," says Morgan.

The labor here is one of love and compassion for those who have suffered a loss and gratitude to those who paid it with their lives.

All supplies are purchased through the generosity of donations. The wreaths will be placed on the graves December 1.