Organization pays off house for family of late WV State Trooper Sgt. Cory Maynard

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (WOWK) – The family of a West Virginia State Trooper killed in the line of duty is getting some help from an organization dedicated to easing the financial burdens of fallen first responders’ families.

The Tunnels to Towers organization has paid off the mortgage on WVSP Sgt. Cory Maynard’s family’s home.

On June 2, 2023, Maynard was shot in an ambush while responding to a shooting call in the Beech Creek Road area of Mingo County. He and the victim of the initial shooting were rushed from the scene for medical treatment as the hours-long manhunt for the suspect began.

Maynard died from his injuries later that night. The suspect was captured around 11 p.m. that same night.

Sgt. Maynard began his law enforcement career in 2007 at the West Virginia State Police Academy. He served his community for 15 years, earning the Statewide Trooper of the Year Award in 2012 and a Life Saver Award in 2015. Maynard is remembered as a hero by friends, agencies and West Virginia officials.

His widow said Maynard wanted to make a difference in his community.

“Cory wanted to become a state trooper to be a bigger part of his community and state. He wanted to make a difference and help people,” said Rachel Maynard, Sgt. Maynard’s widow.

Along with Rachel, Sgt. Maynard is survived by their two children, Zoe and Finnegan. Rachel said relieving her of their home’s mortgage has eased a financial burden that will allow her to spend more time with their children.

“Tunnels to Towers has had a huge impact on our family,” Rachel said. “Now that I am a single parent, the foundation’s support will make it possible for me to work less and still be involved in my children’s activities and school functions.”

The Tunnels to Towers Foundation was founded after the tragedy of 9/11 with a mission to help Gold Star and fallen first responders’ families with young children stay in their homes mortgage-free. The foundation also builds specially adapted smart homes for veterans and first responders who have been severely injured in the line of duty.

“Every day families of our brave first responders watch as their loved ones leave, not knowing if they will make it home at the end of the day,” said Tunnels to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. “When tragedy strikes and a hero like Sgt. Maynard does not come home, Tunnels to Towers will ensure his family can stay in the home they shared without the burden of a mortgage.”

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