By Nicole Reino, Assistant Editor, Law Officer Magazine

Officer Brittany Maxwell passed away before completing a project that would provide Christmas trees to children and families who would otherwise not have them. Photo Terry Spence

Officer Brittany Maxwell of the Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Police Department planned to spread a lot of joy this holiday season through her Christmas Tree Project. Inspired by a young child who lived in her community, Brittany was collecting artificial trees for children and families who otherwise would not have one. Her goal was to collect at least 30 trees this year. Unfortunately, Brittany, 25, unexpectedly passed away in her home on Oct. 23 and didn’t get to see the project through.

One of her dispatchers, Jennifer Smith, is helping to continue the project this year—and years to come—with the help of Brittany’s family and friends. Kimberly Maxwell, Brittany’s mom, and Smith have renamed the cause The Brittany Project.

“We are doing this to honor the memory of Officer Maxwell and to keep her dream of making this a better community,” Smith said.

They’re requesting donations of pre-lit, new or gently used artificial trees. They’ll also accept strands of lights, ornaments, tree toppers, stands and any other essential tree trimming items. Monetary donations can be made in the name of The Brittany Project at any Middle Tennessee branch of First Tennessee Bank, or you can mail them to The Brittany Project, c/o Jennifer Smith, 128 Centerrock Drive, Christiana, TN, 37037.

Brittany began working for the Murfreesboro PD as a patrol officer in 2006. In the summer of 2010, she was assigned to the COPS unit.

For more information about The Brittany Project, call 615/653-8664 or e-mail [email protected].

Originally posted on www.lawofficer.com on Nov. 22, 2010. Reposted with permission.