KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Lynn Harwell tried to straighten hair frazzled by riding through miles of open trails and wooded scrubs in a convertible Jeep.

Her eyes were wide with excitement. She jumped from the dirt-caked off-road vehicle like a child on an adrenaline high who just experienced their first roller-coaster ride.

The enjoyable part of the Survivor Ride at Krawl’n for the Fallen was the ride through the trails. It allowed Harwell to be pampered and enjoy simple pleasures she never knew existed.

Her driver took a towel and cleaned a dusty section of the rear quarter panel. He handed her a blue paint pen to complete an essential formality of the three-day event. She sighed, then signed the Jeep:

“Det. Terry Melancon”

“Baton Rouge Police Dept.”

“E.O.W. August 10, 2005”

“John 3:16 ♥”

Her finance was serving a warrant 19 years ago when he and two fellow Baton Rouge, Louisiana, officers were shot by the suspect. Melancon and the suspect were killed. The other officers were seriously injured, but they eventually recovered.

Time has helped Harwell move past some of the pain but not the memories. Events like Krawl’n for the Fallen help because they are dedicated to helping survivors of first responders, including K-9 deputies, killed in the line of duty.

The nonprofit was started in 2015 by Christine Johnson, whose brother-in-law, Vermont State Police Sgt. Michael W. Johnson was killed in 2003 during a traffic stop by a suspect who was trying to drive around spike sticks that Johnson had just deployed.

The three-day event at the Florida International Rally Motorsports Park at Keystone Airport attracted hundreds of off-road vehicles, campers, vendors, and trail and obstacle course riders.

“The trails are awesome,” Johnson said. “The FIRM does a great job with letting everybody kind of do what they want to do out there, so it's been fun.”

Johnson said two Florida hurricanes affected this year’s goal. Still, more than $50,000 was collected last weekend.

“Our goal is to get everyone to understand the survivors are our biggest, most important thing,” Johnson said.

Another popular program was a 45-minute presentation by one of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9s. They demonstrated how the dog recognized cocaine hidden in the fender of a deputy’s car.

Not only was this the first time Harwell’d been to Krawl’n for the Fallen, but it was the first time she’d been in a Jeep.

Harwell said survivors also gained strength by sharing their stories.

“It’s amazing to know that our officers are still honored, forever remembered,” Harwell said. “Their sacrifice is not forgotten. I met other survivors. We were sharing stories. I've attended tons of events through the years, and this was my first time for the Krawl’n event, and it's amazing.

Harwell said events like Krawl’n for the Fallen don’t ease the pain of losing her fiancé, but it does help her cope.

“I wouldn't trade that time with my fiancé for anything, no matter how much it hurts,” she said. “Events like this make me feel good, to know they're still honored, still remembered.”