KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Wyandotte County Sheriff's Deputy Theresa "TK" King spent a lot of her time at The Dotte Spot at 82nd & Parallel planning events for fallen law enforcement officers.
The Lancaster-Melton Peace Keepers Civitan Club is made up of law enforcement officers and family members of law enforcement officers.
Little did anyone know they'd be honoring King for her service.
"The law enforcement community grieves with each other when there's a loss, so it's definitely very, very difficult," said Zeta Bates, president of the Peace Keepers group.
King was killed in the line of duty, along with fellow Deputy Patrick Rohrer, on June 15 outside the Wyandotte County courthouse annex.
She died before the Peace Keepers were able to start their new 100 Salutes program, presenting 100 blue ribbons for each fallen officer. The words "Never Forgotten" are etched on each one, which was King's idea.
"Then the fact that TK was a founding member of our association, of our chapter. She was really passionate about this," Bates said.
The group was started at first to honor Detective Brad Lancaster and Captain Dave Melton with KCKPD, killed in the line of duty in 2016. The group was going to present ribbons in Clinton, Missouri as well, where Officers Gary Michael and Ryan Morton were recently killed.
Now, the group is dealing with a tragic change of plans.
"Our first salutes that are going to be presented are going to be to Deputy King's family and Deputy Rohrer's family," Bates said.
But it'll be a thousand ribbons.
"[TK] was gung-ho for it from the get-go, so this is a very close-to-her-heart organization because the law enforcement community here in Wyandotte County is very, very close-knit. When we lost Dave and Brad, the sheriff's office was there to support us and to support PD, and so we're just trying to do the same thing for them," Bates said.
Bates worked for KCKPD and is now with Mission PD. She is reliving this trauma all over again. She was engaged to Melton.
She and TK knew each other for years and became close in the Peace Keepers group.
"It's devastating, but unfortunately in this day and age, it's a reality we have to deal with that I still choose to do even after tragic events like this, because that's how we honor them. We go out and do our jobs," Bates said.
While many others might not know how to help, Bates suggested this:
"Just do things in their memory. Go out and be kind."
The Peace Keepers Club meets the last Thursday of every month at The Dotte Spot from 7 to 8 p.m.
The Dotte Spot is a member of the club and recently donated the proceeds from its annual golf tournament to the club.
Marcie Huckaby, the owner of The Dotte Spot, told 41 Action News they will do whatever they can to support the KCK law enforcement community.
"We were all born and raised here. It hits home for us," Huckaby said.
People wanting to donate money can do so directly to the Peace Keepers Club:
Lancaster-Melton Peace Keepers Civitan Club
22403 W. 46th Terrace
Shawnee, KS 66226
The Peace Keepers are an Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) (3) Charitable Organization.
Any questions can be directed to lancaster.melton.peace.keepers@gmail.com
A fund is set up for King and Rohrer at the Greater Kansas City Public Safety Credit Union.
Local Price Choppers stores are also accepting donations.
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