The death of a police officer or firefighter is the biggest fear the families of first responders face. The combination of shock, grief, disbelief and anger is overwhelming, especially in the hours following the tragedy. That is when The Borderland 100 Club steps in immediately to help. The club's president is former El Paso police Officer Amanda Walsmith.

“If there is any fallen first responder in El Paso County, within 48 hours we will deliver a $10,000 check to the surviving family,” said Walsmith. “People think: The families have insurance. They have benefits. They have all of those things. But those things get tied up in investigations. They get tied up in red tape. And it can take three, six, nine months, even up to a year, for them to actually start seeing things."

Walsmith said the money is meant to bridge the gap and take care of the family's immediate needs.

CBS 4 News