Cottonwood Fallen Heroes held the 13th annual Fallen Heroes Golf Tournament at the Agave Highlands Golf Course on Saturday, May17, to raise funds for the families of police officers and firefighters killed or injured on duty, as well as to fund public education events, safety programs and scholarships for Cottonwood police, fire and EMS personnel and their families. “Our first responders are the best line between us and anything bad that can happen to us,” Cottonwood resident Scott Kaser, who was playing in the tournament for the second year, said. “It’s a great chance to hand some money over to some people that need it.” James Iacovacci, co-chairman of the event, said that this was the first year they had utilized online registration, which he felt made the organization much less stressful.
“We were sold out within72 hours. That’s how much people want to play and support Fallen Heroes,” Iacovacci said. One hundred and thirty golfers signed up for the event. “I had a gentleman come in this morning just said, ‘Here’s $100 for police and fire. Thank you so much for what you do.’” Iacovacci said that they aim to increase the prizes for the event, many of which are donated by the community, every year, and to raise more funds each year than the previous year. The first event 13 years ago raised $1,500, while last year’s tournament raised$22,000. Iacovacci said the goal this year was to break $24,000.
“I know the needs of police and fire and first responders and what they go through,” Iacovacci, who had a law enforcement background, said. “And what people contribute and donate just helps out immensely because all it takes is one officer to get injured or to become involved in a traumatic or deadly shooting and they have to get some help, and we’re here to help them cover the costs. And then there’s the ongoing training. Sometimes city budgets don’t allow for certain training and different things that fire and police both need, and we’ll help subsidize the funding for that.” Iacovacci also thanked the committee and Brandon Wacker for their efforts in helping to organize the tournament.
