We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Whitledge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was raised to have respect and to honor the sacrifices of our first responders, military and veterans. I was also raised to help any way I can when someone is in need. I am a 13+ year police officer, and my wife is a Marine veteran that served overseas after 9/11. She also goes through pain daily like so many veterans that served. First Responders and our Military selflessly give and risk it all up to and including the ultimate sacrifice without hesitation! I started Defending Heroes Project to help all our heroes in uniform and veterans in their time of need. I also want to honor them, honor the fallen, and bring mental health awareness and resources! Our mission is to ensure that all of our heroes in uniform (& Veterans) are honored, as well as assisted in their time of need. We will see that no one fights alone, and all our heroes have a hand to help comfort and lift them back up!”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a 13 year police officer in my hometown in Henderson KY. I have always had a strong desire to help others in their time of need, and I want to do all I can to make the world a better place for all. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Murray State University, I had the privilege to begin my career in my own town. Anyone that’s been through a police academy or basic training knows it’s not an easy road, but such an accomplishment to be proud to complete. I was able to meet some great people from all over the state that to this day are my brothers! Over my career I have helped others, been there for what is the worst time in their life, saved lives, seen lives taken way to soon, seen things no one should have to see, been in altercations with suspects, been injured on duty and off work, and seen hearts and lives changed. I’ve had to tell parents their child didn’t make it, and I’ve seen people walk away from wrecks that was divine intervention! I’ve had to hear on the news about an academy brother being drug by a car and forced to medically retire (now runs an amazing nonprofit Camp Hero KY), and another shot serving a warrant. Thankfully survived and still patrolling! There’s hard times, things I have missed with family due to work, & things we all wish we could forget. There’s also an amazing brotherhood that you know have your back through it all, blessings of people you meet throughout your career and lives changed or saved, and knowing you are making a difference. I started my nonprofit as I not only have a huge love and respect for our first responders, military & veterans, but I’ve also seen and experienced first hand what our heroes in uniform go through, the hardships we face and also the struggles with mental health due to all we see and experience. I know personally so many heroes that sacrifice so much selflessly for our country. I know we can do so much more to honor, support and help our heroes in their times of need. They do it for us every day no matter the cost! I also want to do all I can to honor our fallen heroes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our town is more of the small town everyone knows everyone kind of places. We have our downtown full of locally owned businesses full of locally made products, crafts and amazing restaurants that also do so much to give back to the community! I would have to make sure they eat at Tacoholics, Hometown Roots, Homer’s BBQ, Rookies Sports Bar & Restaurant and Mister B’s pizza & wings! I would take them to the shops downtown Elite, Beach Bum, The Olive Leaf. Bushel and a Peck and many more. While downtown, I would have to take them by my grandparents former home. This home is around many historical homes, but this home was the one used for filming League of Their Own! They also must experience our local wineries and brewery. We have Boucherie Winery which held our first fundraiser. This was for a dear friend and fellow officer (Janna Gatten) battling stage 4 Colon Cancer helping us raise over $21,000! We also have Farmer & Frenchman with great food and wine, beautiful wedding venue (where I married my beautiful wife), and beautiful cabins to getaway! Henderson Brewing Co would also be a must! They would also have to head to Henderson Police & Fire Departments to meet some of the best heroes I have the honor to work with! Lastly if it were the right time of year, they would absolutely have to attend another local charity (911 Gives Hope) event- Guns & Hoses boxing. Cops boxing firefighters…you know you want to see that! Great to see our heroes in uniform hop in the ring to help those in need! Also, everyone be sure to follow us on our website and social media pages for a big announcement about about a huge charity event coming up here in 2023! Don’t want to miss it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people in my life past and present that have been such a huge part of who and where I am today. No way I could list them all here. My grandfather James Osborne made such a large impact on me. He was a hard working, honest, straightforward, respectable and stand up for what’s right no matter what man that loved his family and country. Also my amazing wife, Tiffney. She is a Marine veteran that served post 9/11 overseas. She has been through so much but nothing keeps her down, and she has the biggest heart! She has constant pain from injuries while serving our country, but she is always doing all she can to help others and always has my back. Don’t know what I’d do without her! We both want to do all we can to help our heroes in need!

Website: Defendingheroesproject.org

Instagram: Defending_heroes_project

Twitter: @Defendingheroes

Facebook: Defending Heroes Project, Inc

Other: TikTok defending_heroes_project

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.