ROCHESTER, Minn.- For those who are first responders, every day brings with it the reality that their loved one may not return home from shift. since the start of the year.

Today, local firefighters and police officers gathered to raise money to help ease the financial burden often felt by families of those killed in the line of duty.

The 8th annual benefit for fallen officers today where many men and women in law enforcement tell KIMT death on the job is a harsh reality.

Local law enforcement wants families of officers to know that they won't be forgotten.

“There's always fear there's always that unknown feeling that you're going to run into something that you just don't want to deal with,” said officer Brian Roussell.

Roussell has been an officer with Rochester Police Department's K-9 unit for nearly 16 years.
“I just enjoy helping people and doing what i can to give back to the community,” he said.

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