Gold Shield Foundation helps families of fallen police officers

TAMPA - Juan Serrano can relate to the families of Officers Curtis and Kocab.  When he was 18, his father, Detective Juan Serrano, was killed in the line of duty in 2006. His police car was struck by a hit and run driver.

"It's very painful. It's an experience that there's no words to explain the pain that you receive," he said.

Fortunately for Juan, the Gold Shield Foundation was there to help.

The Bay area group, established by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, pays all college costs for children of fallen officers like Curtis and Kocab. They paid Juan's way through USF, and he just graduated in December.

"When my father passed away it was my first semester in college and I thought I would have to drop out and get a job," he said. "And I didn't know what else to do."

Joe Voskerichain operates the foundation and does what he can for the grieving familes.

"It's intially very tragic. It stays with you for a long time. Time does pass, the wounds do heal," he said.

While nothing will replace the loss of their fathers, Juan says the children of Curtis and Kocab will have a promising future because their education will be taken care of. He says those kids can also take comfort in the memory of their fathers.

"Always remember like you are pleasing your father. And every step that you take in life, remember that you are doing a step in memory of your father," he said. "That's what I did. And every step I took...I just thought of my dad and I thought of how I could please my dad and today I'm standing here as a professional."