RALEIGH, N.C. — The Wake County Sheriff's Office has lost three deputies in recent months. The deaths left the sheriff's office and its families grieving. Now, the Raleigh Police Department Family Support Group is lending a hand.

Karen Lee has been building a bond with law enforcement families for almost two decades. She started the Raleigh Police Department Family Support Group seven years ago.

"It gives them a chance to bond, a way to communicate. It's a feeling of reassurance that you know someone you can call," Lee said.

Wake County sheriff's deputies have mourned the losses of Deputies

William Franklin James II

,

Phil Owens

and

Mark Tucker

. Now, Lee is helping spouses of Wake County deputies form their own family support group.

"I'm looking forward to it. Sadly, it took something to happen, but the most important thing is that we're on our way," Rhonda Alderman said.

The group was well on their way before until Deputy Tucker was found dead in an open field in Wake County last month. The group was scheduled to hold its first organizational meeting that very night.

Both groups plan to keep working together. The spouses of the Wake County Deputies will meet again in a few weeks for another planning session. The Raleigh Police Department's Family Support Group holds fundraisers and family gatherings year-round.