Non-profit raises over $35,000 for Callaway County deputies shot during traffic stop
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A non-profit organization is continuing to raise funds to support two Callaway County deputies injured in a recent line-of-duty shooting.
Deputy Gardner Pottorff and Cpl. Justin Bax were both wounded during a traffic stop on I-70 in October. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the suspect, Jonathan Beason of Texas, was killed in the exchange of gunfire.
One of the two deputies has returned home, while Deputy Pottorff remains hospitalized.
"Having one of our own in the hospital is just extremely hard. We always try to prepare mentally for it, but you really can't be prepared for that," Callaway County Sgt. Crystal Kent said.
Pottorf recently underwent surgery for minor issues but is expected to be released from the hospital soon.
"He's (Deputy Pottorff) been in great spirits, keeping his head up and working hard to get out of there. We hope that he is out in the next few days," Kent said.
Since the incident, the community has rallied around the deputies.
"To see the community come out and support these guys in a way that we would have never imagined is just overwhelming," Kent said. "And, I think everybody would agree that the community has come out and been more supportive than we ever expected and they continue to do so."
The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation, a non-profit focused on supporting first responders, has organized a fundraiser to aid in their recovery. The foundation, which has raised over $130,000 for first responders, aims to collect additional funds to support Cprl. Bax and Deputy Pottorff.
Angie Koepke the Director of Daily Operations for the Chief Mason Griffith Foundation said the purpose of the foundation is to relieve financial stress for the heroism first responders display.
"We want to help the past, present, and future first responders in the line of duty and not so much in the line of duty. But if they're hurt in an accident, off duty, and still not able to work, we just want to back out first responders as much as we can," Koepke said.
Both Cprl. Bax's and Dpty. Pottorf's fundraisers are close to reaching their goal, and Koepke plans to keep the donation link open for six months to continue raising funds.
"Truthfully, in my heart. My goal for each one of these guys is, you know, above $50,000 because they need to be comfortable with doing their therapy, the recovery and not worrying about any kind of stress as far as financial goes," Kopeke said.
Koepke said that the foundation tailors support based on need but continues fundraising for more severe injuries until the individual is ready to return to work.
Funds raised by the foundation will be personally delivered to the deputies' families.
"That's one thing we pride ourselves on is we go meet the families face to face. We sit down with them, we talk to them, we become friends," Koepke said.
The foundation plans to host an additional fundraiser in Callaway County before or after the holidays, according to Koepke. The date is yet to be determined.
