Every 53 hours, an officer is tragically killed in the line of duty. And every 25 hours, an officer is shot. According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, 364 police officers were shot last year — the highest since the organization began collecting data — and ambush attacks on police are up 115% from 2020. 

These harrowing statistics not only illustrate that it’s a dangerous time to be a police officer, but that now more than ever police officers need support from the communities they serve. 

In Texas, volunteer police chaplain Ron Leonard and his therapy dog Molly have been stepping up to do just that. For the past nine years, the duo has been showing support for officers by letting them know they care about them and that their lives matter. They are, in Leonard’s words, “Honoring our fallen heroes by blessing the living.” 

“We support our men and women in uniform as they faithfully serve and protect us on a daily basis,” he adds.

In the coming months, Leonard and Molly will be traveling to departments across Texas to distribute goodie bags to officers as a token of their appreciation and to provide assistance on mental health calls. 

APB commends their efforts and hopes that their work inspires others to show their gratitude to the men and women who wear the badge.