A fundraiser to support Arkansas State Police Trooper Kyle Sheldon, who was wounded in the line of duty on April 1, will be held at Colton's Steakhouse next month.
Sisters Behind the Badge, a nonprofit organization created to help police officers in need, will host its fourth fundraiser including a raffle, faux jail cell and dinner served by local officers. All tips collected on the evening of May 5 will be donated to Sheldon and his family, as well as the money made to place friends in faux jail and bail them out.
Angelina Sealy and her two sisters, Amanda Thompson and Jessica Brinsfield, went into action after seeing the need to support families with law enforcement members.
"I thought something is wrong with this picture. These officers put on a bulletproof vest every day to protect us. When most people run away from a situation, they run into the situation," she said.
Sheldon was shot in the shoulder during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 270 near Interstate 30 on April 1.
"He is still recovering from a shoulder surgery and trying to heal emotionally and physically. It's traumatizing and emotional for everyone involved," she said.
Sealy said she was contacted by multiple news stations in reference to Sheldon's case, as it impacts the local community. She expects the largest turn-out for this fundraiser, due to the media attention and by having it on Cinco De Mayo.
"We aren't trying to make thousands, we're trying to do a fundraiser to say that we love and appreciate the officers and their work does not go unnoticed," she said.
The sisters hope the officers can see "the heart of the community" and have fun in the process.
"They are there for us 24/7, they never say no and answer to every call, yet when they need help, they don't get the 24/7 service we do. We back the badge and love them," she said.
While Sheldon isn't expected to attend the evening, Sealy said the organization will be excited to present the total earnings to the family at a later date.
Local on 04/16/2018