Wake Forest officer receives outpouring of support after wife's sudden death

In less than 24 hours, Dave Cohen’s life went from triumph to tragedy.

Since then, the Wake Forest police officer and his family have received an outpouring of community support.

On his first day as a police officer, Cohen’s wife, Jamie, became sick after a bacterial infection spread to her blood stream.

The 30-year-old died less than 24 hours later on March 19, leaving behind her husband and two sons, ages 4 and 2.

Friends took to Give Forward, a crowd funding site, to raise funds for the family.

Their initial goal was $3,000. They were able to raise more than $51,000 in one week.

"We wanted to be able to give him the opportunity to do whatever he needs to do to take care of the boys,” said Denise Jackson, a family friend and one of the fundraiser's organizers. “None of us can foresee what he is going to need and what it's going to take to get through this tragedy. Sometimes you ask what can I do to help. This is one way you can help. This will give him the opportunity to do whatever he needs to do to take care of his family."