The joint funerals of Sgt. Sam Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter are being held in Kissimmee this morning and the community is turning out to support the fallen Officers, their families, and the Police Department. Large crowds were in attendance at the funeral and the local public bus line, LYNX, were offering shuttles to the cemetery so mourners could pay their respects.
The two police officers were shot this past Friday in a neighborhood known for drug traffic. Baxter, 27 died that night and Howard, 36 died the next day. Both officers leave families to cope with the grief of losing their father/husband/best friend.
I live not far from where this happened and the support from the community for the police in the wake of this tragedy has been overwhelmingly positive. If you would like to support the families of thes two officers you can make a donation at DONATIONS. The Kissimmee Police Department has also set up an account with SUN TRUST to accept donations for the families.