2025 Lena's Grant Awarded

The West Jackson Fire District awarded public safety preparedness grants to local agencies, in honor of the late Dep. Lena Nicole Marshall.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Commerce Fire Department are the 2025 recipients of "Lena's Grant." The funding is earmarked for body armor and training weapons, fulfilling the grant's mission to better protect, strengthen and develop public safety personnel and their respective agencies.

The West Jackson Fire District first awarded the grant in 2024 to enhance public safety preparedness and honor the memory of the late Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall. Deputy Marshall suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call, succumbing to her injuries three days later on Nov. 8, 2021. The tragedy is still mourned by the Jackson County community and all responding public safety personnel.

"We remember her, we honor her, and our thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone from the dispatchers, EMS providers, law enforcement, and our fire department that responded to her aid," Chief Stephens said of the fourth anniversary of Deputy Marshall's passing.

The grant is need-based and open to all fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency services within Jackson County. The grant is funded by the WJFD and generous community donors.

2025 Grant Awards:

· Commerce Fire Department, $3,116, Safe Life Defense Responder Vest

· Jackson County Sheriff's Office, $4,540, training weapons

2024 Grant Awards:

· Jackson Trail Fire Department, $4,019, six ballistic vests, six ballistic helmets, six trauma triage kits

· Maysville Police Department, $2,300, six rifle plates, carriers, advanced first aid kits and mag holders

· North Jackson Fire Department, $1,400, four ballistic helmets, four ballistic plate sets

· Plainview Fire Department, $728, life safety response kit and equipment

For more information about the grant, please contact Chief Stephens.

The West Jackson Fire District was established in 1968 to provide fire protection for 30 square miles in western Jackson County, including portions of the cities of Braselton and Hoschton. The department’s two stations are staffed with full-time and part-time personnel, highly trained and ready to serve the community. Visit wjfd.org or follow West Jackson Fire Department on Facebook, Instagram and X to learn more.