Widower Of Fallen Officer Faces Challenges Raising Infant, Then Receives A 32-Pound Package

We are revisiting a story that originally made headlines in October 2016.

In response to the tragic death of a police officer in Palm Springs, California, a group of mothers has stepped in to support her infant daughter. The officer, Lesley Zerebny, 27, was killed on October 8 while answering a domestic disturbance call. She was shot along with two other officers, as reported by The Associated Press. Zerebny, who had been with the Palm Springs Police Department for 18 months, had recently returned from maternity leave.

By October 11, over 500 ounces of breast milk were donated to Zerebny’s family, as reported by KTVU. The milk, contributed by women from Monterey in Northern California, will be screened and tested before being provided to Zerebny’s 4-month-old daughter, Cora. This initiative was organized by a woman named Ashley, who responded to a social media appeal and discovered that donated breast milk would be beneficial. Within a day, a month’s supply of milk was delivered in coolers.

Ashley expressed to KTVU her desire to make a positive impact in a difficult time.

The Palm Springs Police Officers Association has suggested that those wanting to help further should consider donating Enfamil baby formula to the department.

The suspect in Zerebny’s death, 26-year-old John Felix, was captured following a shootout with police, according to AP. He faces charges for the murders of both Zerebny and her colleague, Jose Gilbert Vega, a 35-year veteran who was nearing retirement.

Zerebny and Vega were fatally shot by Felix while speaking with him through a screen door at his residence. A third officer who was injured is recovering at a local hospital.

This incident was the first time since 1962 that a Palm Springs police officer had been killed on duty.

Memorial services for Zerebny and Vega are set for October 18.

Sources: KTVU, AP via CBS News