Guest post written by Danny Morales, a Miami-Dade Police Department officer and co-founder of Bleeding Blue Inc., dedicated to supporting law enforcement families in times of need. He helps raise awareness, funds, and community support to show that the thin blue line is ONE.
On November 4, 2022, Homicide Detective Danny Morales and his brother, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Brandon Espinosa, founded the nonprofit Bleeding Blue Inc. Since its founding, the organization has donated more than $500,000 to law enforcement families through fundraisers including 5K runs, sports tournaments, conferences, and t-shirt sales.
Both men come from families with deep law enforcement roots. “My stepfather is a retired police officer, and my mom has to deal with three cops in her family, so she knows what it’s like. We get a lot of support in our fundraising efforts from our agency members, and from other law enforcement officers in South Florida,” Morales said in a recent interview.
Years before formally launching the nonprofit, the brothers organized multiple self-initiated fundraisers to support officers injured in the line of duty. The idea for Bleeding Blue solidified after the death of a fellow officer known as “Echy,” who was shot and killed while chasing a robbery suspect.
Soon after that tragedy, a close friend of theirs was shot in the head during a domestic incident. Together, those events compelled the brothers to spearhead an organization that would become a lifeline for law enforcement families in crisis.
When asked why they created another nonprofit, their answer is straightforward. “What differentiates us is that we have a unique platform because we are giving back to people who we work alongside. It’s very personal, and we can also fill in some of the areas where these other organizations can’t because we are not politically tied by unions, endorsements, or rank.”
Both brothers were raised by their stepfather, a role model who guided them toward careers in law enforcement. Today, Bleeding Blue operates as a family-run nonprofit supported by volunteer police officers who believe deeply in the mission.
In response to rising first responder suicide rates, Bleeding Blue expanded its mission to address mental health and wellness. The Bleeding Blue Mental Wellness Initiative focuses on increasing access to mental health resources, reducing stigma, and providing proactive support for first responders and their families.
In 2024, the organization hosted its first mental health conference, drawing more than 500 first responders for a day centered on unity, growth, and self-reflection. The event featured extensive resource tables designed to help first responders pursue healthier lifestyles and recover from work-related trauma.
The conference is now held annually in Miami, alongside year-round efforts to promote mental wellness in the law enforcement community. Bleeding Blue also sponsors wellness events, hosts cultural competency training for clinicians, and funds treatment for officers in need.
Its mental health committee includes peer support members and clinicians who are committed to helping officers navigate the real-life struggles of a selfless profession. The organization’s board of directors consists of 10 volunteers dedicated to assisting as many law enforcement families as possible.
Bleeding Blue continues to seek opportunities to expand beyond Miami. In November 2025, the organization assisted with three police officer deaths in South Florida by creating memorial t-shirts and challenge coins, generating more than 5,000 sales and $120,000.
Bleeding Blue is equipped to assist police agencies nationwide with fundraising efforts and maintains a network of ambassadors who volunteer in support of its mission. For more information, visit www.bleedingblue.info.
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