HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL volleys against Taylor Police to raise funds for Matthew Edwards Foundation

The Taylor Police traveled to Hoover Middle School June 1 for a benefit volleyball match against the students. The three-match series, allegedly won by the police (we're rechecking that!) was to benefit the Corporal Matthew Edwards Legacy Foundation.

Hoover rolled out the red carpet for the game, including a short speech from Principal Michelle Tocco and a strong performance by the Hoover Hawks band, which played some great tunes during the action on the court.

The entire student body paid a small donation to attend the game and also raised other donations.

The Corporal Matthew Edwards Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization, has been created to insure “A Fallen Hero Is Never Forgotten”.

Corporal Matthew Edwards of the Taylor Police Department was killed in the line of duty on July 23, 2010.

Matthew Edwards is survived by his wife, Shannon Edwards, and their 2 children, Luke and Moriah. Shannon attended the volleyball match.

Corporal Edwards was a decorated police officer having been recognized with many awards, a few of which were being named Police Officer of the Year by the City of Taylor, Police Officers Association of Michigan, Michigan Fraternal Order of Police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The Corporal Matthew Edwards Legacy Foundation's purpose is to provide assistance in the following areas: Fund the Corporal Matthew Edwards Legacy Endowed Scholarship program, a scholarship that will assist those who are seeking a career in law enforcement; Financially support the Taylor Police Officers who ride in the Police Unity Tour every year (which helps fund the National Police Officers Memorial); and finally, to provide emotional and financial support to fellow Line Of Duty Death survivors and their children.

These goals will all be accomplished in the spirit of “Honor Through Sacrifice “ to insure that “A Hero Is Never Forgotten.”

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL students visits City Hall (Part 5: Fire Department)

Students from Blair Moody Elementary School received a rare treat on May 24 when they toured the City of Taylor Municipal Building, Police Department, District Court and Fire Department.

Mayor Rick Sollars took time to speak with the children in the atrium of City Hall.

At the police department, they listened to officers discuss their job, tried on SWAT gear and checked out a patrol car.

Judge Joseph Slaven took the students through a mock trial and explained the legal process in his usual upbeat way. Everyone got an assignment on that stop, including judge, jury and defendant ... it's uncertain at this time whether Judge Slaven put anyone in jail.

As usual, the final stop was the fire department, where the children learned about a firefighter’s responsibilities, toured the station's living quarters and checked out the ladder truck.

Here are photos from the Fire Station.