Two years ago, Cindy Chesna and her two children got a big boost of support after the line of duty death of her husband, Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna, when a New York charity stepped in to pay off the mortgage on their home.
Now, Chesna is helping to pay it forward.
On Wednesday, it was revealed Chesna had raised and donated $19,000 to the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation — which works to ensure families of first responders with young children can remain in their homes after a family member is killed on duty — to help pay off the mortgage of Rachel Scrimshire, an Arkansas widow whose husband, Hot Springs Police Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in March, MassLive reports.
“I have been where you are. In one instant, your whole world gets turned upside down. I know the fear, the worry and the pain,” said Chesna. “While that pain will never go away, I am thankful to be able to help Tunnel to Towers take care of another family the way they took care of me.”
Chesna raised money for the initiative through selling T-shirts honoring her husband, according to the news outlet.
“What Tunnel to Towers has done is give me peace of mind that I will be able to care for our children without this financial burden,” Scrimshire said. “I will be forever thankful for the gift they have given me and my children. There are no words to express my gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Michael Chesna was shot and killed while on duty on July 15, 2018. Authorities have said Emanuel Lopes, 20, threw a rock at Michael Chesna’s head and, once he was on the ground, took the officer’s gun and shot him.
Lopes then fired shots into the home of 77-year-old Vera Adams, killing her, officials allege.
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