CHADBOURN, N.C. (WECT) - Sheriffs from Georgia and Florida are partnering with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to honor the four girls who lost their lives in a house fire in Columbus County on Aug. 30.
A press release from the [Henry County Sheriff’s Office](https://www.safehenry.com/) (HCSO) states that the partnership is a joint donation that “fully covers the expenses associated with honoring the girls, lifting the financial burden from the grieving family.”
“As a father, my heart is broken for the Ellis family,” Shaquille O’Neal said. “What I can offer is love, support, and a promise that their lives will not be forgotten.”
A spokesperson with the HCSO told WECT that O’Neal had been moved by the tragedy, which inspired Sheriff Reginald Scandrett and other sheriffs to offer support.
“The loss the Ellis family has endured is one that shakes us all to our core,” said Sheriff Scandrett. “Our goal is to remind them they do not walk this journey alone.”
HCSO says that representatives from their office will be at the memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 13 to honor the four sisters.
" The loss of four young girls is unimaginable, and while nothing can replace their lives, we wanted the family to feel the love, compassion, and solidarity that reaches far beyond county or state lines,“ the spokesperson said. ”It’s about showing them they are not alone in their grief, and that an entire law enforcement community is standing with them."
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