CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers are giving back to one of their own who needs a heart transplant.
The CMPD Retirees Association hosted a “Back the Blue BBQ” in honor of retired CMPD Officer Harold Jackson on Tuesday afternoon.
Jackson served more than 35 years with the department and retired in 2015. In 2018, he suffered from heart failure and is now waiting for a new heart.
"We worked together in vice back in the day,” said Michelle Hummel, retired CMPD captain. “He’s just the kindest, thoughtful, great police officer, great guy."
Dave Scheppegrell said the barbecue is one of the first events for the association, and he couldn’t think of a more deserving person to benefit.
"Harold would do anything for anybody,” Scheppegrell said. “You know, he had a heart of gold, and I think that's why you see so many people here today is because, you know, Harold touched so many lives when he was here."
Fellow brothers and sisters in blue, other first responders, and the community came out in numbers to take part in the fundraiser and make a donation to Jackson.
“Jackson was a great friend of ours,” said CMPD Chief Kerr Putney. “We’re so happy he’s enjoying his retirement, but now he is in need so we’re happy that the community, our former officers and current officers, and all of our employees are coming together to rally around him.”
A GoFundMe page shows donations totaling more than $10,000 for Jackson’s medical expenses, but his fellow retirees wanted to raise even more for him.
"He's done his time at the police department, and he's retired,” Hummel said. “It's time for him to enjoy his life, and how can we make that happen for him?"
The association wanted to thank Potbelly BBQ, Coca-Cola, Diamond Springs, CPI, and Keffer for making the event possible in honor of Jackson.
"It's kind of symbolic,” Scheppegrell said. “You know, the hearts of the community, the hearts of the police department all coming together to help Harold with his new heart."