Businesses, individuals and organizations are stepping in to help make continuing insurance payments for the widow and son of fallen deputy William Durr.

By law, the county cannot maintain insurance coverage for a spouse and dependent of a deceased county employee beyond the end of the month in which the employee died. In Durr’s case, the end of that month was May 31. Durr was killed in the line of duty May 27.

The county is accepting donations from anyone who would like to contribute to help cover the cost of health insurance premiums for the family. COBRA — Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation — allows insurance to be offered to spouses and dependents, but the county cannot cover the cost of COBRA coverage.

Terry Services, based out of Flowood, is hosting a chicken dinner July 14 to help raise funds for the family.

Representatives of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system company said they got involved because it’s the right thing to do.

They’re hoping others step in to help as well.

Plates will be $12. A location has yet to be determined.

“Any money we collect will help benefit the Durr family,” said Lincoln County Administrator David Fields. “I’m amazed at the support we have gotten. I look forward to the dinner.”

Fields said donations can also be made to the county for the family. Checks should be made out to Lincoln County for the Durr Family Insurance Fund.

An account has been established at Trustmark National Bank to help provide financially for the family as well. Donations can be made at any Brookhaven Trustmark branch.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there have been 264 deaths in the line of duty in the state of Mississippi, dating back to 1873.

Durr’s family will eventually receive compensation through state and federal programs and life insurance.

“There are life insurance policies for officers killed in the line of duty. Workers’ compensation, state and federal benefits that will help the family,” Fields said. “The state doesn’t give us, the county, authority to pay for any family. Whether it’s law enforcement or not, we don’t have the authority to spend the money on something like what happened to officer Durr. We definitely would like to but we just don’t have the authority.