Help Trooper Hess’s Family Provide Safe Transportation for Their Son

The Troopers United Foundation is asking for your support to help one of our own—New Jersey State Trooper Hess and his family—as they continue their extraordinary journey caring for their son, who faces incredible medical challenges every single day.

From an early age, their son was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition caused by a DHX16 gene mutation, making him one of only twelve known cases in the world. This rare mutation has resulted in numerous complex medical conditions, including blindness, deafness, muscular dystrophy, mitochondrial disease, epilepsy, severe low muscle tone, and significant developmental disabilities. Because of these challenges, he is unable to walk and requires around-the-clock care and assistance with every aspect of daily life.

Despite these unimaginable obstacles, he continues to inspire everyone around him. Through countless doctor’s appointments, therapies, hospital visits, and daily challenges, he has demonstrated remarkable courage, resilience, and determination. His strength serves as a powerful reminder of what it means to never give up.

As their son has grown, so have his needs. One of the family’s greatest challenges is transportation. Frequent medical appointments, therapy sessions, and community activities require safely transporting both him and his specialized medical equipment. Transferring him into a standard vehicle has become increasingly difficult, physically demanding, and no longer provides the accessibility he requires.

The Troopers United Foundation is raising funds to help the Hess family purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that will allow their son to travel safely and comfortably while ensuring he continues to receive the critical medical care, therapies, educational opportunities, and experiences that enrich his life.

As a Foundation, our mission is to stand beside first responders and their families during life’s most difficult moments. Today, we are asking our community to stand beside the Hess family.

Every donation, regardless of size, will make a meaningful difference and bring this family one step closer to obtaining the accessible transportation their son desperately needs. If you are unable to donate, we ask that you please consider sharing this campaign with your family, friends, and community.

On behalf of the Troopers United Foundation and the Hess family, thank you for your generosity, compassion, and continued support. Together, we can help ease one of the many daily challenges this incredible family faces and demonstrate that no member of our first responder family ever stands alone.