Rockwall Police Department, mayor extend gratitude to ‘Silent Partners’

(ROCKWALL, TX – Sept. 14, 2016) Rockwall police officers joined city officials in thanking a group of Rockwall residents making up the Silent Partners organization during a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the San Jacinto Music Plaza. Founded by a group of area entrepreneurs and businessmen, the Silent Partners organization recently provided a means for community members to anonymously donate to its campaign fund directly benefiting Rockwall County police officers.

“This will be a countywide benevolence fund that will go towards the families of fallen officers in the county, not just Rockwall PD,” said Rockwall Police Chief Kirk Riggs. “Also we’re going to send representatives from our department to the funerals of other fallen officers throughout the state. The money will pay for their travel to represent our agency.”

Silent Partners pitched the idea of the fund a few weeks ago to Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt and the Rockwall Police Department, and Pruitt graciously agreed to be the face of the campaign, as members of the organization wished to remain anonymous.

“The way we set this up is this money will go to the city police department through the city bank accounts, and 100 percent of all the money raised will be used to support our officers,” Mayor Jim Pruitt said.

Rockwall PD worked closely with the Rockwall Police Officers Association and decided the most tactful approach would be to set up the fund on the Rockwall POA website for folks to anonymously donate.

“I want to thank the Rockwall POA Board that was willing to step up and come up with the ideas on what we needed to do to make these funds count the best we could,” said Rockwall POA President BJ Brumit. “I want to thank the generous citizens of who came up with this idea. We do have an outpouring of support from the community already, but the extra support that this group has given is going to help us honor other officers not only within our county, but across the state and in neighboring states.”

Brumit said they hope to have the fund up and running on the website – rockwallpoa.org – next week. Until then, those who wish to donate can send their contributions directly to the Rockwall Police Department at 205 West Rusk Street, Rockwall, Texas 75087. Please make sure to specify “Silent Partners” on the check, and donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.

Story and photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News editor / senior reporter.

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