LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
IMAGE

Rebecca Grignon...1 Year Later

PHOTO

It's been nearly a year since Rebecca Grignon's life was shattered.

She and her husband Peter Grignon had just celebrated their one year wedding anniversary when Peter, a Louisville police officer, was gunned down on the job.

A 17 year old shot him before taking his own life.

Rebecca told Fox 41 News the most difficult thing about dealing with Peter's death is knowing she can't live the life they had planned together and knowing she'll never have his children

You don't have to look far to see reminders of Peter in the house the couple shared. His hat, pictures and other mementos are also nearby along with his wedding ring Rebecca wears close to her heart. His belongings offer the comfort he can't.

Now she is turning her grief into action, reliving painful details of her loss in hopes of helping others. She's made several trips to Frankfort telling the story of what happened the day Peter was killed. In her testimony she says Peter was shot three times and after he fell to the pavement, unable to catch himself because he was unconscious, the killer shot another bullet into the back of my his head. She's made several trips to Frankfort hoping her testimony will help urge lawmakers to pass a bill opening the records of violent juvenile offenders. Had it been in place a year ago, she believes it might have saved her husbands life. Her mission now is to save others from the same fate.

Her work with Supporting Heroes also ensures that will happen. It's a group offering support to families of fallen police, fire and EMS workers. Her husband joined before his death - not knowing how much it would help his own family. Now she travels the state urging others to get involved.

Despite the tragedy, she's thankful for the time they did share. She'll keep his name alive by sharing his story, and says her faith in God helps her keep going one day at a time.