Tim Warren Memorial Fund - Memphis Police Officer Killed in the line of Duty

MEMPHIS, TN -(WMC-TV) - Fallen Memphis Police Officer Timothy Warren's children returned home Tuesday for the first time since losing their dad.

"It's real hectic," said their grandfather, Asa Atkinson, of the toll Warren's murder was having on the family.

Atkinson said Sunday's shooting triggered nearly 48 hours of sleeplessness for the entire family.

"I went to sleep last night at 11:30 for the first time since 6 o'clock Sunday morning," he said.

Family members broke the news to the children a day later, on Independence Day. Warren's son, eight-year-old James, was extremely close to his father, and is not taking the death well.

"James broke down when he walked in the house and his dad wasn't there," Atkinson said.

His grandfather said James climbed onto Warren's motorcycle and had a hard cry. As for four-year-old Jewel, family members believe she may not yet understand that she will never see her father again.

"It hasn't sunk in yet with Jewel," Atkinson said.

Warren's widow spent the day meeting with Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong, along with Memphis Police Association vice president Michael Williams. She also spent a great deal of the day Tuesday at 201 Poplar, filling out paperwork related to her husband's death.

Meanwhile, Atkinson dreads how this profound loss will affect the children, who were the light of their fathers' life.

"It's going to be hard, particularly when they're older," he said.

Tuesday, Atkinson set up the 'Tim Warren Memorial Fund' at Merchants and Farmers Bank in Cordova.

"We're working on this bank account for the kids," he said. "Maybe something to help them through college at some point."

While the fund can never replace their father, Atkinson hopes it will give them a boost now that their father is gone.

The family is also planning to set up funds at First Tennessee and Regions Banks.

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