History

The 100 Club of Nashville was founded by business persons in 1979 as a nonprofit charity dedicated to providing financial assistance to the families of police officers, firefighters, and EMT staff employed by an official police or fire organization in Metropolitan Nashville who lose their lives in the line of duty.

Former Metro Police Chief Emmett Turner said the 100 Club of Nashville is one of the best things that has happened to the police department, fire department, and ambulance/EMT service. He states, “For more than 20 years the 100 Club has dedicated itself to seeing that families of officers killed in the line of duty are not burdened with financial debt. As our officers report to work each day, knowing that the 100 Club of Nashville exists adds some comfort to what is oftentimes a most stressful job.”

100 Club president Robert Ramsey states, “We represent a core of our community who share a belief that we should take care of the families of those who make an ultimate sacrifice to protect and preserve our families and property. We hope and pray that we are never needed, but when we are-and eventually we are-our purpose is to remove debt from the surviving family and in some cases provide assistance for the education of their children.” Most recently the 100 Club of Nashville was called to service by assisting the family of fallen Tennessee State Trooper John Mann who lost his life on January 1, 2001, while answering a Metro Police call, and again on December 9, 2001, for Officer Candace Ripp who lost her life on Ellington Parkway. The 100 Club of Nashville accomplishes its tasks with members who donate $100 per year in dues. The 100 Club of Nashville has NO paid staff, NO paid or professional fundraisers, solicits its members entirely through volunteers, and limits its administrative costs to a small amount of printing and postage.

Following the tragic attack on September 11th in New York, The 100 Club of Nashville received numerous requests from its members to send assistance for families of almost 400 Police, Fire, and EMT service people who lost their lives trying to save the lives of others. In the spirit of True Tennessee Volunteers, the 100 Club of Nashville launched a monumental drive to more than contribute, but to make a statement of gratitude on behalf of the Police, Fire, and EMT officers and staff of Middle Tennessee. Beginning in September 2001 and running through December 21, 2001, all New Member dues and contributions to the 100 Club were earmarked for an organization in New York established to provide assistance to the families of Police, Fire, EMS, and other City employees involved in rescue efforts.

“As one of the people who started this club,” stated cofounder Bill Trickett, “I’ve never thought I’d feel lucky to have only lost just 12 of our heroes in 23 years. We can make a real difference in this tragedy, but we’ll need more members to do it and still be strong should we be needed by someone at home.” Since 1979, The 100 Club of Nashville has paid more than $400,000 in debts for the families of 11 officers and firemen and on paramedic who lost their lives answering our calls for help.