June 21, 2024

LEAP sponsored an event for Franklin police officers and their families to attend the Sounds game against the Durham Bulls. The Sounds won 7-4.  Thank you to our generous donors for making events like this possible for our dedicated officers and their families. 

February 26, 2023

Watch the Nashville Sounds take on the Durham Bulls at First Horizon Park! 

$5 of every purchase will be donated to the Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership.

Buy Sounds Tickets Here to Support LEAP

Know Before You Go:

• First Horizon Park operates as a CASHLESS facility, including ticket offices, concession stands, and retail stores. 

• A clear bag policy will be in place for all events. The clear bag policy permits bags no larger than 12” x 12” x 6” in size. Exceptions include diaper bags, medical bags, and small handheld clutches and purses sized no larger than 5" x 9". 

ALL SALES FINAL. The Nashville Sounds do not allow exchanges or refunds.

February 16, 2023

During a recent appearance on NEWSMAX, Lee Greenwood spoke about his support of law enforcement and some of the ways you can support them as well.

Please visit leegreenwood.com to learn more about his Adopt A Cop campaign.

Watch The Video: https://fb.watch/jiFK4YSlRH

December 6, 2022

A LEAP benefit concert was held at the Nashville Palace.

https://youtu.be/JtUvb4ByA1A

Nov 22, 2022

The star-studded lineup includes John Ford Coley, Andy Griggs, Michelle Wright, John Conlee, Marty Raybon, Terry McBride, T. Graham Brown, Ronnie McDowell, and David Frizzell.

Country music artists have always supported law enforcement and community charities, and Christmas Cops & Country Music is no exception. The benefit concert event, taking place at The Nashville Palace on Tuesday, December 6th, will bring 80s and 90s artists together to raise money  and collect unwrapped Christmas gifts for the Franklin Police Department’s support organization, Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership (LEAP).

“The first concert event that took place earlier this year in May to honor fallen officer and country music star Jeff Carson completely exceeded what we ever could have imagined,” says LEAP President Diane Wilhoit. “We were able to provide scholarships and purchase air units for police officers to use under their protective gear during the height of the summer. Now, we are collecting Christmas toys and gifts for families that might not get a visit from Santa. It is amazing to see the outpouring of support.

Read their full release here:

https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=bf141dbbd818f4f933816b13a&id=b6ae39e5e2

July 24, 2022

Franklin’s police officers have a new tool to beat the summer heat.

The Franklin Police Department’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) has purchased patrol officers a unique device called CoolCop. 

One end of a hose connects to an AC vent in a police car, and the other goes inside an officer’s bullet-resistant vest, providing a blast of cold air to the officer’s torso, which normally gets no airflow because of the vest.

This most recent expression of LEAP’s appreciation for Franklin’s officers was possible thanks to a generous $82,000 donation from May’s Jeff Carson Memorial Benefit Concert following Carson’s death this year. He was a longtime Franklin police officer and country music singer. 

LEAP is a nonprofit organization that helps support Franklin police officers and their families. 

https://www.williamsonherald.com/news/local_news/franklin-police-officers-gifted-coolcop-technology/article_f17bb472-0bc1-11ed-8919-1fb2b77ad685.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Jun 24, 2022

Pictured L-R: Josh Bleidt, Event Producer and Jeff Carson manager; Barrett Hobbs, Nashville Palace owner; Diane Wilhoit, President of LEAP (Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership); Kim Carson, widow of Jeff Carson; Dayton Carson (Jeff’s son); and Justin Ward, CEO of Encore Music Group  (Photo by Jeremy Westby / 2911 Media)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A month and a half after Jeff Carson’s death, fellow country music artists and friends got together to pay tribute to the fallen officer and country music singer. Michael Ray, Tracy Lawrence, John Berry, Lee Greenwood, Ricochet, Wade Hayes, Ty Herndon, Rhett Akins, Craig Campbell, Halfway to Hazard, and War Hippies all participated in the special May 10, 2022 benefit that took place at the 700-seat capacity Nashville Palace. The results were that not only was a good time had by all but over $82,000 was raised to support his fellow officers through the 501(c)(3) non-profit (LEAP) Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership.

“This is exactly what Jeff would have wanted to happen. He was always so giving of his time and wanted to help others. He loved Country music and he loved being an officer. He felt he could touch people with both professions,” says Kim Carson. “I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved in this event and I am so thankful for all of Jeff’s friends who came out to help honor his legacy.”

About Jeff Carson:
Carson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and began his musical career early on singing in church. He recorded demos, including Tracy Byrd (“Walkin’ To Jerusalem”), Tracy Lawrence (“I See it Now”), Reba McEntire (“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter”), Tim McGraw (“I Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way”), Faith Hill (“It Matters To Me”), Mark Wills (“Places I’ve Never Been”), Diamond Rio (“Mirror Mirror”) among others. “Yeah Buddy,” was his first charting single and was followed up with ‘Not On Your Love,’ which went number one. The following single, ‘The Car,’ became a top-five hit, topping out at number two and won Carson his first Academy of Country Music award for “Video of the Year.” Carson had several other singles, including “Real Life (Was Never The Same Again)” from his album “Real Life.” In total, Carson’s career achieved 14 charted singles on the Billboard chart. Carson took a break from music to become a law enforcement officer with Franklin Police Department in Williamson County, Tennessee, where he remained on the police force.

Returning to music in 2019, he signed with Encore Music Group and has been in the studio with Buddy Hyatt recording a specialty album to be released later this year that includes duets with Michael Ray, Darryl Worley, Mark Wills, and Craig Morgan.

Jeff Carson - God Save the World (Official Music Video)

https://youtu.be/X9LM5VRNxYw

April 19, 2022

Jeff Carson, the country music hitmaker and Franklin police officer who died March 26 after an apparent heart attack, will be honored with a concert May 10 at the Nashville Palace.

A Music Memorial for Jeff Carson will include musical acts Michael Ray, Lee Greenwood, Mark Wills, Ty Herndon, Wade Hayes, Rhett Akins, Ricochet, Craig Campbell and more. 

Danielle Peck of SiriusXM’s “Y2K” and T. Graham Brown of SiriusXM’s “Prime Country” will host the charity event, benefitting Franklin’s Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership (LEAP), a nonprofit organization that aids sworn officers of the FPD during unexpected life events.

“I am so happy that many of Jeff’s friends and peers are coming out to honor his memory and at the same time raise money for this charitable cause,” said Carson’s wife, Kim. “Jeff would be so thrilled with what we are doing. He loved his country music family, and he loved his law enforcement family, so this will be a really special night.”

For those who cannot make it to the event but would like to support the cause, an online auction has been set up at www.carson.givesmart.com. Donations can also be made in Carson’s honor by texting “Carson” to 76278.

After retiring from country music, where he earned 14 singles on the Billboard chart, Carson pursued his other lifelong dream in 2008 and joined the Franklin Police Department, where he remained a dedicated officer until his passing at age 58. He earned six commendations and a Chief’s Award for Excellence during his service with the FPD.

April 15, 2022

Artists, fans, and industry friends alike will gather to honor country music hitmaker and ACM award-winner Jeff Carson at “A Music Memorial For Jeff Carson” on May 10 at 7 p.m. CT at The Nashville Palace.  Carson, a ’90s singer-songwriter, died from a heart attack at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee, in March of 2022. He was 58.

Michael Ray, Lee Greenwood, Ty Herndon, Wade Hayes, Rhett Akins, Ricochet, Craig Campbell, and more are set to join the celebration. Throughout the night, performers will share, celebrate, and honor their times with Carson through the years.

Danielle Peck of SiriusXM’s Y2K and T. Graham Brown of SiriusXM’s Prime Country will be hosting the event to benefit the Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership (LEAP), a nonprofit organization that assists officers of the FPD during unexpected life events. After retiring from country music, Carson pursued his other lifelong dream and joined the Franklin Police Department, where he remained a dedicated officer until his passing.

“I am so happy that many of Jeff’s friends and peers are coming out to honor his memory and, at the same time, raise money for this charitable cause,” shares Carson’s wife, Kim Carson. “Jeff would be so thrilled with what we are doing. He loved his country music family and he loved his law enforcement family, so this will be a really special night.”

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