A private foundation that helps Border Patrol agents and their families during hard times is in the process of sending $10,000 to the family of Agent Donna Doss after she was killed in Texas Saturday night.
Border Patrol Foundation Executive Director Shannon Staples told the Washington Examiner Monday that Doss’s death, which happened while she was assisting state and local police on Interstate 10, was considered a line of duty death and therefore made the next of kin eligible for major financial assistance within one day.
“Whenever there is a line of duty death, the Border Patrol Foundation donates $10,000 to the surviving family,” said Staples. “Our hope is that donation will serve in the gap between the time that they lose their loved one and the time the benefits come into effect.”
Doss, a 17-year member of Border Patrol, was killed after being struck by a car, according to the Abilene Police Officer’s Association. Her death marked the 128th time an agent has been died while working and the first since late 2017.
The Border Patrol Foundation was started up in July 2009 and has given to 21 families of agents who have been killed since then.
The organization was founded July 23, 2009, the same day Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr. was killed. Getting money to his family was their first order of business.
Donations to surviving family members has increased through the years from $5,000 to $10,000.
The group also funds the family’s travel and accommodations to attend its annual recognition dinner in Washington, D.C., and provides up to $500 for each affected family to attend National Police Week in Washington.
“Police week offers surviving families a unique opportunity to get together, to visit one another, and to be around people who understand that type of loss. And the programs they offer that week help with that healing,” said Staples.
Border Patrol Foundation is financially supported by a number of companies whose products or services are used by the Border Patrol.
