Little Rock - Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced she is allocating $500,000 to the Law Enforcement Family Relief Trust Fund. The fund, established in Act 765 of 2021 under the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, is designated for families of fallen officers who are killed in the line of duty or those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
“Funding this trust is a small way to express our eternal gratitude to the families of fallen officers,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “I urge Arkansans to join me in funding this program either by directly contributing or designating their state tax refund be disbursed to the trust.”
Lead House sponsor, Representative Mark Berry, said “I am proud to have worked with Attorney General Rutledge to usher this legislation through the General Assembly. Because of our work, the State of Arkansas will be able to continue to honor fallen officers’ memories by providing assistance to their families. This Law Enforcement Relief fund will also afford Arkansans with an avenue to make contributions to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of us all.”
Lead Senate sponsor, Senator Missy Irvin, said “This important fund will allow us to continue to serve the families of those who have given their lives and service to our communities. Thank you General Rutledge for providing these much needed funds that will help families of the fallen.”
As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the State, Attorney General Rutledge has prioritized law enforcement by providing a variety of critical annual trainings as well as investing almost $20 million in training and equipment to agencies throughout Arkansas.
Information concerning how to apply for the grant will be made available on the Department of Public Safety’s website in the coming weeks.
About Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
Leslie Carol Rutledge is the 56th Attorney General of Arkansas. Elected on November 4, 2014, and sworn in on January 13, 2015, she is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected as Attorney General. She was resoundingly re-elected on November 6, 2018. Since taking office, she has significantly increased the number of arrests and convictions against online predators who exploit children and con artists who steal taxpayer money through Social Security Disability and Medicaid fraud. Further, she has held Rutledge Roundtable meetings and Mobile Office hours in every county of the State each year, and launched a Military and Veterans Initiative. She has led efforts to roll back government regulations that hurt job creators, fight the opioid epidemic, teach internet safety, combat domestic violence and make the office the top law firm for Arkansans. Rutledge serves on committees for Consumer Protection, Criminal Law and Veterans Affairs for the National Association of Attorneys General. She also served as the former Chairwoman of the Republican Attorneys General Association.
A native of Batesville, she is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Rutledge clerked for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, was Deputy Counsel for former Governor Mike Huckabee, served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County and was an Attorney at the Department of Human Services before serving as Counsel at the Republican National Committee. Rutledge and her husband, Boyce, have one daughter. The family has a home in Pulaski County and a farm in Crittenden County.