Local Teen Organizes Support for Family of Fallen Police Officer

One year ago, February 7, 2018, Police Officer David Sherrard was fatally shot after responding to a disturbance at an apartment complex. Sherrard, 37, was the first officer killed in the line of duty in the Richardson Police Department’s 63-year history. Sherrard, a 13-year veteran, was a member of Richardson’s elite SWAT team who was recently appointed leader of the department’s sniper team. This tragedy left a loving wife and two adoring daughters alone, but not forgotten.

As the first anniversary of this tragic day approached, sisters Elena (14) and Veeka (12) Schlensker, neighbors of the Sherrard family and good friends with the fatherless girls, knew they wanted to do something to show their love and support at such a difficult time. Encouraged by their parents, Colby and Julia, a plan began to take shape.

“We decided that we would line the streets between their house out of the neighborhood with American flags. First, we requested to use the flags from our church congregation’s Boy Scout Troop. Then, with our Dad, we went to each house on the route asking our neighbors if they would allow us to place a flag in their yard.  We knocked on a lot of doors and not one person said they did not want to participate,” said Elena. “Many people didn’t know this family’s story but were happy to help because they had family members who were also police officers.”

Next, an email was sent to a local yard art business, Card My Yard. Arrangements were made for two displays in memory of the fallen officer, husband, and father. One for both the Schlensker’s and Sherrard’s yards. “My Mom got us blue ribbons we could tie around each flag pole and some trees, too,” Veeka added.

But Lena didn’t stop there. She wanted to have T-shirts made that she and the rest of Grace Sherrard’s group of friends could wear to school, although their friend Grace, daughter of Officer Sherrard, would not be attending school on that day. Since the Wylie ISD has a mandatory dress code, Lena needed to approach her Cooper Middle School Principle. Touched by the thoughtful idea, permission was given.

All elements of the plan in place, the time of execution arrived.

Early, very early, in the morning of February 7, Lena, Veeka, and father Colby put 50 American flags tied with blue ribbons in the yards of supportive neighbors. Card My Yard delivered the two displays, one for the Sherrard’s yard with “FOREVER GRATEFUL” adorned with stars and a flag heart along with “#1078”, Officer Sherard’s badge number, and the other “SHERRARD STRONG” for the Schlensker’s yard. Lena said, “Card My Yard told us that they were overcome with emotion as they drove through our neighborhood and didn’t charge us for the signs.”

The sun rose that morning lighting 50 beautiful fluttering flags, a display of love and support for a hurting family provided by those in their neighborhood and organized by a young woman with a big heart.

The act of kindness was picked up by local media outlets. KDFW FOX4 News, Dallas, came to the Murphy neighborhood and filmed an interview with the Schlenskers which aired on their live evening news broadcast along with putting the story on their website. Their local newspaper, The Wylie News, also reported the service.

Lena was surprised by the attention they received: “I really didn’t expect the response we got from the community. We were only really hoping to help the Sherrard family have an easier day on the 7^th. It’s hard to understand what my friend Grace must have to deal with not having her Dad around anymore. I knew that when the one-year mark of his death came that the family would have a lot of memories of him and I wanted them to know that we remembered him too. I wanted her know we love her and her family, are grateful for her Dad’s service and sacrifice, and that they are not alone.

“President Thomas S. Monson [of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] said unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Our parents and youth leaders at church have always encouraged the importance of service and teach us that it can change and bless not only others but our lives as well. When I do service, it makes me happy to see the happiness it brings to others.

“I hope my friend Grace and her family know that we support them and will always remember Officer Sherrard for the good man he was. We hope all police officers and their families know how much we appreciate what they do.”

The FOX4 segment can be viewed here.