Washington, DC — August 22, 2026 — Over the past several days, First H.E.L.P. has received an extraordinary outpouring of support, compassion, prayers, and messages from across the public safety community and the general public. On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire First H.E.L.P. family, we express our profound gratitude and want you to know that First H.E.L.P. remains committed to its mission.
No words can adequately convey the depth of grief surrounding the Karen Solomon case and the tragedy involving her family. We continue to hold the Solomon family, and all those whose lives have been forever changed, in our thoughts and prayers.
First H.E.L.P. was built around an important and deeply needed mission: to honor the lives of first responders lost to suicide, to support surviving families, and to systematically reduce the stigma surrounding mental health within the first responder community. This work has impacted countless lives and provided a voice to families who might otherwise have been forgotten.
The events surrounding the Karen Solomon case do not diminish the importance of this work. Rather, they underscore the profound complexities of mental health crises and their far-reaching impact on individuals, families, organizations, and entire communities.
First H.E.L.P. has confidence in the justice system and will have no further comment regarding the facts of the case while the ongoing investigation and legal process continue.
As we navigate the days ahead, we remain dedicated to treating everyone affected by this tragedy with the utmost compassion, dignity, and respect. We remain faithful to our commitment to the families and first responders First H.E.L.P. was created to serve.
Thank you for your steadfast support during this exceptionally challenging time. Your kindness, compassion, and continued support have provided vital strength to our organization.
About First H.E.L.P.
First H.E.L.P. is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2016 to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of first responders lost to suicide. By managing the nation’s leading tracking database for public safety suicides, the organization ensures these individuals are never forgotten. Through the pillars of Honor, Education, Lead, and Prevent, First H.E.L.P. actively fights mental health stigma, delivers suicide prevention education, and bridges the gap to mental health assistance for officers, agencies, and surviving families nationwide.
