Some people use growing up in poverty or surrounded by drugs as an excuse for turning to a life of crime or sucking off the government teat. Then there is “Hollywood” Henry Morris, a friend of law enforcement and a close friend of Law Enforcement Today.
Hollywood grew up in a drug-infested, crime-ridden area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the son of two alcoholic parents. Domestic violence was a routine part of Hollywood’s upbringing. Despite everything giving him an excuse to turn bad, Hollywood grew to have tremendous respect for police officers and appreciated the sacrifice and challenges of their jobs. Much of this was learned through interacting with D.A.R.E. officers, school resource officers, and football coaches who were full-time police officers.
When he grew older, Hollywood combined his love of media production with a desire to serve his Lord. He used his passion for the media and worked to increase the church’s ministry through those means. As a result, Hollywood has worked with over 50 churches and non-profits, including the Service Academy Graduate Super Reunion, the National Baptist Convention USA, and the Miami Chapter of the Tuskeegee Airmen.
Hollywood founded Support Our Shields, whose “mission is to support police officers by combating negative stereotypes and narratives that are rampant today by encouraging positive police and community interaction.” He committed to “using multimedia to highlight the brave men & women who risk their lives every day to protect us.”
As an African-American, Hollywood responded to the death of George Floyd, unlike groups such as Black Lives Matter. Instead, he responded to the anti-police movement by creating plaques for police departments around his community. He strives to use his gifts and his voice to advocate for law enforcement while, at the same time, promoting personal accountability and responsibility.
Hollywood also began a “Fallen Heroes Tour,” designed to honor officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. The tour honors the fallen by personally visiting every police agency to present a plaque in their honor. In 2023, Hollywood traveled over 35,000 miles to honor 34 fallen police officers across 22 states.
Hollywood puts his money where his mouth is, funding Support Our Shields at a rate of 90% out of his personal finances. Last September, Hollywood received a donation from Blue Line Unlimited from Portage County, Ohio, to assist with travel and the cost of plaques.
Hollywood has had difficulty getting his message out since he doesn’t have ties or support from national organizations. Law Enforcement Today means to rectify that. As the world's largest law enforcement media company, we are proud to help Hollywood with his mission.
“So far, it’s been very challenging trying to get the message out because I have no ties or support from any national organizations,” Hollywood said. “Many of the LEA [Law Enforcement Agencies] I’ve visited aren’t in huge cities or large media markets. I feel that honoring and supporting the heroes who serve is too important to wait especially while their morale and retention are at an all-time low. I need major help in raising awareness for this mission.”
Hollywood told us that he felt called to do something.
“Law enforcement officers have not only been defunded, they have been demonized, dehumanized, and demoralized,” he said. “If the men [and] women of law enforcement are willing to lay their lives on the line every day for total strangers, the least that I can do is stand up and speak out for them
“I believe in Making America Great Again because I am the poster child for the American dream,” he continued.
“God has placed a burden on my heart for fallen officers. I know that I’m fulfilling my purpose whenever I’m able to put my arms around a grieving family member and tell them that I traveled hundreds of miles to tell them their lives mattered.
“I want to dedicate my God-given gifts to sharing the stories of the peace officers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for so many who care so little.”
Support Our Shields has “Six Shields” the organization engages in:
EXPOSE: Expose the lies and the false narratives being pushed by fake media, big tech, and the defund the police activists
EXPLAIN: Explain the vital role police play in our communities. Modern policing is driven by crime data and community demands for help. There are certain communities that end to be policed more heavily because that is where people are disproportionately hurt by violent street crime.
EXAMINE: Examine the behavior and ideologies that plague high-crime areas. The moral decay that manifests itself in senseless, violent crime cannot be fixed by politicians and bureaucrats. Elected officials cannot force people to value their lives or the lives of others. The most sustainable strategy for shrinking the size of police forces is a more moral, respectful, and law-abiding citizenry.
ENHANCE: The relationship between police and the community. Strengthen community relations with the police by constant communication with them. Actively working to create a positive atmosphere of respect, trust, cooperation, support, and concern for everyone in the community.
ENERGIZE: Energize the morale of police officers by publicly recognizing them and rehumanizing them on every platform available on new media and independent media.
EMPATHIZE: Personally delivering plaques to law enforcement agencies who have lost an officer in the line of duty. Letting them know their lives matter.
Donations to Support Our Shields may be made here.
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