2026 Lena's Grant Awarded

Backed by community donors, the West Jackson Fire District awarded preparedness grants to three local agencies on the fifth anniversary of Dep. Lena Nicole Marshall's passing.

The Braselton Police Department, Hoschton Police Department and Jefferson Fire Department are the 2026 recipients of "Lena's Grant." This year's awards total $10,726.73 and will put ballistic protection and lifesaving trauma equipment in the hands of officers and firefighters across Jackson County.

The grants were presented Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at WJFD Station 1, five years to the day after Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall died from injuries she suffered in the line of duty. Deputy Marshall was shot multiple times while responding to a domestic disturbance call and passed away three days later, on Nov. 8, 2021. Her loss is still felt deeply by her family, the Jackson County community and the public safety personnel who answered that call.

"Five years later, Lena is still with every one of us who serves Jackson County, and this grant is how we make sure her name keeps protecting first responders. Thanks to the generosity of our community, three more agencies will have the gear and lifesaving equipment their people need to do the job and come home safe," said WJFD Chief Ben Stephens.

A community effort

This year, private donations played a major role in funding the grant. Individual donors and the Hoschton Women's Civic Club joined the West Jackson Fire District in contributing to the 2026 awards, making it possible to fully fund all three requests.

The West Jackson Fire District has funded Lena's Grant since its creation, with the support of the district's elected Fire Board. The board's continued commitment makes it possible to invest in the safety of Jackson County first responders, who work across district boundaries to protect residents and businesses.

What this year's grants will fund

• Braselton Police Department will purchase 13 mass casualty incident (MCI) medical kits for patrol vehicles. Braselton officers are often first on scene along the busy I-85 corridor, and the kits will let them begin treating several injured people at once, with tourniquets, pressure dressings, chest seals and other trauma supplies, while fire and EMS crews are en route.

• Hoschton Police Department will purchase two rifle-rated ballistic shields, giving officers added protection when responding to barricaded subjects, active shooter incidents and high-risk traffic stops.

• Jefferson Fire Department will replace outdated Level IIIA ballistic protection with Level IV protection for its firefighters, who often work alongside law enforcement during high-risk incidents. The grant covers about half the project's cost.

Since the West Jackson Fire District first awarded Lena's Grant in 2024, the program has provided $26,829.73 to nine public safety agencies in Jackson County. The grant is need-based and open to all government fire departments, law enforcement agencies and emergency services in the county. Funds help cover the cost of tactical gear, apparel, equipment and training.

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

Donations keep Lena's Grant going. Community members and organizations can give online at wjfd.org/lenas-grant or in person at West Jackson Fire Department Station 1, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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.