After Baltimore County police officer Amy Caprio was killed in the line of duty, there has been an outpouring of support to keep her memory alive. The latest effort is spearheaded by an Abingdon couple to create a more permanent tribute.
"It’s a project of passion, the Honor a Hero project. It really means a lot to us," Morgen Bona said.
When Marc and Morgen Bona started the Honor a Hero project last year, they didn't know what it would turn into, but they knew who they wanted to help.
"I think everyone tends to feel really helpless after a tragic incident like this, especially someone who serves and protects and puts their life on the line every day, and it’s just a helpless feeling to not be able to do anything afterwards," Morgen said.
They sell t-shirts as a fundraiser for families of fallen officers. It's a shoot off of their fitness company Barbells and Badges. All of the money raised goes back to wherever the family designates.
"People want to support the family and department and making these shirts is a way for them to do that. They get to wear that shirt and feel that pride that they are supporting the family and department," Morgen said.
They have helped 11 families so far and the latest is the Caprio's.
"We kind of felt compelled to do it because it hit home, it’s a local officer," Marc Bona said.
Marc, a full-time police officer with the University of Maryland, started receiving requests from Amy Caprio's close friends immediately after the tragedy, so they designed a shirt.
"It’s just something that co-workers departments can wear. A lot of guys will wear them under their uniform," Marc said.
A visual reminder of her sacrifice to keep the community safe.
"In a little tiny way, provide some sort of way to work through the grief after a tragedy like this," Morgen said.
Shirt pre-order is underway and production is starting within the next few days.