On a somber anniversary, we're reminded of the life-altering support provided by The 100 Club, a Massachusetts nonprofit dedicated to supporting families of fallen first responders. Two years ago, Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and National Grid employee Roderick Jackson tragically lost their lives after being struck by a car, an event that left their loved ones reeling and in sudden financial need. "I remember driving to the hospital in the back of the police cruiser and saying 'Oh my God, I'm a police widow' and this is the stuff that we get trained on, that we learn about, but never did I ever think that this was going to happen," Paul's wife, and fellow Waltham Police Officer, Kristin Tracey told CBS Boston.
The 100 Club's role begins immediately after the unimaginable happens, filling the financial void left when an officer's paycheck stops the next day, this continuity critical for families like the Traceys, who face an abrupt end to their loved one's income and a future full of uncertainty. Kristin expressed her appreciation, saying, "The 100 Club has been amazing, immediately coming through for us and then just providing emotional as well as the financial support," a testament to the pivotal role such organizations play in the aftermath of tragedy. According to the same CBS Boston interview, The 100 Club extends beyond monetary aid, offering experiences and events designed to sustain joy and a semblance of normalcy in a time of deep grief.
Embodying a commitment to never let the sacrifices of the fallen be forgotten, The 100 Club fulfills promises to its community. Beyond remembering fallen heroes, it underscores the ethos captured in Tracie Hines's words to CBS Boston: "We just want these families to know that their sacrifice is important and we owe them ... and they won't be forgotten, and their loved one won't be forgotten."
Founded over 50 years ago, The Hundred Club of Mass., Inc. stands as a beacon of hope and support for the families of police officers and firefighters who have laid down their lives, the pledge being that care for their families will be unwavering and lifelong. Their service and mission are encapsulated on their website which states, "The Hundred Club gives an unequivocal and unconditional promise to police officers and firefighters in Massachusetts that in the event they are killed in the line of duty, we will compassionately care for their surviving families for the rest of their lives and never forget their sacrifice." As the trial for Peter Simon, the suspect in the deaths of Tracey and Jackson, approaches in 2026, the support from The 100 Club continues to be a steady force for the families facing a future marked by their absence.
