Indigo Law Firm Starts Back the Blue Campaign
The FBI reports that 59 police officers lost their lives in the line of duty across the country from January 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021. These statistics show that this is a 51 percent increase in the number of police officers killed when compared to the same period during the previous year.
Locally, three police officer deaths happened within the first month of 2021 in Horry County and the Pee Dee. The first officer death was in the early hours of New Year’s Day when North Myrtle Beach Department’s Sgt. Gordon William Best was on his way to a call, but his vehicle slid on a wet Highway 17 and hit a utility pole. A week later, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jonathan Price was killed in a two-vehicle crash that also took the life of the other driver. A few days later, Horry County Police Department Officer Melton “Fox” Gore was killed on Jan. 12 after being struck by a vehicle while clearing debris.
It all adds up to why Myrtle Beach-based Indigo Family Law has decided to start a Back the Blue campaign for those Horry and Georgetown police officers, as well as office staff, who do not have a will in place. Back the Blue plans to offer a discounted will program to those in service by late summer 2023.
Why This Matters for First Responders
According to a recent poll by Gallup, a little less than half of U.S. adults (46 percent) have a will in place that describes how they would like their money and estate to be handled after their death.
This has been the bleak trend since 1990. And, with police officers and staff involved in more dangerous day-to-day situations on the job, the attorneys here at Indigo Family Law feel it is crucial now more than ever for them to have a will set up that will protect them and their families left behind in the future – at a lower cost that is affordable for them.
The most common cause of death for officers is transportation incidents. In addition, their work carries a high risk of injury and illness. It is also a stressful occupation, as the work often involves dealing with a hostile public in challenging situations.
To spread the word of Back the Blue, Indigo Law Firm Attorney and Founder Brana Williams, Associate Attorney Katlin Floyd, and Office Manager/Senior Paralegal Johana Bufford are going out to the field directly, meeting with officers and staff in their workplace to spread awareness about the discount will program, guide them on the setup steps, and give back to the community.
The team will be on hand to explain the benefits that this protection gives to their loved ones if something unexpectedly happens to them. Along with Family Law, Indigo Family Law specializes in Legacy and Estate Planning services, such as:
- Wills and trusts
- Child will packages
- Advanced directives
- Asset protection plans
- Conservatorship adult guardianship
- Naming legal guardians for minors
- Probate
- Special needs planning
- And more
Williams, the mother of eight children (six adopted), actually re-dedicated her practice to Indigo Family Law to create legacy plans for area families and to support them through all stages of life and death. It was after an epiphany she had, in fact, after driving back home from a long trial. She and her husband, Jim, had not updated their will in 13 years, which was five children ago. She asked herself tough questions, one of which was, “What would happen if she got into a fatal wreck on her way home or if something happened to her husband?”
For more information on Back the Blue and how police officers can protect their children and spouses, visit the Indigo Family Law website.