Behind the Badge Charities is seeking applicants for its 2012 Fallen Heroes Memorial Scholarships.

Scholarship awards are available for up to $2,000 per academic year to students who will be attending a four-year college or university program and up to $1,000 per academic year to students enrolling at two-year community/junior colleges or technical schools. To be eligible for scholarship consideration, applicants must be a graduating high school senior whose parent or legal guardian is a current or honorably retired peace officer, reserve peace officer, correctional officer, emergency medical technician/paramedic, firefighter or 9-1-1 dispatcher serving with a governmental or volunteer emergency response agency within Fort Bend County. Behind the Badge Charities emerged following the line-of-duty death of Fort Bend County Sheriff s Deputy J.D. Norsworthy in January, 2011. The Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff s Association gave us an opportunity to bring the greatest good from deepest tragedy, said Detective Robert Williams, who is president of the foundation. With raw emotion and the endless support of our friends and donors we organized and hosted a benefit fundraiser that was successful beyond our expectations. Through that fundraiser, held in March, 2011, the charity was able to establish trust funds for the Norsworthy children and also provided emergency assistance grants for several Sheriff s Office personnel. Williams said the foundation wanted to expand the charity s reach to be more responsive to all public safety professionals working in Fort Bend County. The organization is planning its next fundraiser to coincide with National Police Week , May 1217, 2012, with the fundraiser scheduled for Friday, May 18 at the Stafford Centre. The goal of this year s fundraiser will be to establish a permanent endowment for scholarships and the Injured Officer Emergency Assistance Fund, Williams said. Every day our public safety professionals place themselves in peril to keep our communities safe. This is an opportunity for the community to assist these real life heroes in their moment of need. To obtain a scholarship application, visit Behind the Badge Charities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BehindtheBadgeCharities or e-mail: BTBC.scholarship@gmail.com. Completed applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2012. To obtain more information about the fundraiser on May 18 or to donate, contact Robert Williams at 281-7035512 or e-mail: BTBC.fundraiser@gmail.com.