CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
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WCNC Charlotte, iHeart Media Charlotte and Back the Blue NC have partnered to support the families of the fallen officers. You can donate anytime online by clicking the link to donate immediately. Thursday, a phone bank, staffed during the WCNC Charlotte 4, 5, and 6 p.m. newscasts, remained busy as soon as the phone lines went live. Dozens of people called in donations and shared how Monday's tragic events touched their hearts.
"There was someone who wanted to donate $300," Holly O'Connor, co-host of the Miguel & Holly Show on iHeartRadio's Hits 96.1, said. "She's from New York and was there during 9/11. She said it's such a familiar feeling: Boots on the ground; what can we do in the aftermath of a tragedy, and I think it's beautiful for the human spirit to want to do that."
As of Thursday evening, the Back the Blue NC GoFundMe, bolstered by phone bank callers and others from the community had raised more than $180,000 of its $250,000 goal. The organization said it will split the money among all four families, based on how many children each officer had.
Memorials have been growing across Charlotte as the city grapples with the loss of four fallen officers and five others who were injured during a standoff on Monday afternoon.
The outpouring of support has also come from several organizations across Mecklenburg County.
Officer Joshua Eyer was a six-year veteran who was among those killed during Monday's shooting. His patrol car is covered with a flag and flowers left for the department as it's parked outside the growing memorial. It's just one of many spots people have come to pay their respects to a fallen hero.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am for these officers in their heroic act," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said Tuesday. "When you hear the gunshots and rapid fire, and they're running directly into it because they know that there are people who need help, and they risked their own lives to do that."
Another memorial is growing outside the federal courthouse in Uptown. A marshal was seen kneeling on the grass grabbing his badge on Tuesday. Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks was killed during Monday's shootout. Weeks leaves behind a wife and four children, the agency said.
Serve & Connect fundraiser
Serve & Connect, a nonprofit started by the widow of a fallen officer that helps support families in other tragedies, launched a fundraiser to support the family of Weeks. The fundraiser's goal is $10,000. As of Wednesday morning, over $2,500 was raised.
Jennings said the law enforcement community is "overwhelmed" with all the support they've gotten so far.
"It's just been very tough," he said. "And knowing that you have families that are hiring right now. We'll get through it, though."
Back the Blue NC fundraiser
A GoFundMe was launched by Back the Blue NC to help the impacted families. The goal is to raise $250,000. The organization says every penny counts, but it's not just about giving money to a grieving family.
"It's important because just like yesterday, they put their lives on the line for us," Melissa DeLong of Back the Blue NC said. "They leave their houses every day and don't know if they are going to come home, and that happened. The support, showing up for the funeral, sending cards, being there in prayer, are the biggest things, especially for the department, because, right now, they are hurting."
Back the Blue NC says GoFundMe takes a 3% cut, so the organization will match that deduction so the families receive the full amount of what's raised. Other fundraisers have collected tens of thousands of dollars. StarMed Healthcare said it will match up to $50,000 for a GoFundMe benefiting Eyer's family.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police is also accepting donations. President Daniel Redford said the organization will split the proceeds four ways.
"We know that no amount of money is going to ever change the feeling of how these family members and loved one feels, but to be able to help offer a little bit of financial assistance to them is what we're here for," Redford said.
Donations to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Benevolent Fund
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Benevolent Fund collects donations from companies and citizens in Mecklenburg County, too.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation is helping to raise money for all first responders from the tragic event. They are working to collect money into a fund and use it to link those first responders to mental health resources.
Brad Muller is on the board of the organization. He said mental health has a stigma and it might be difficult for officers to seek help.
Charlotte businesses fundraising for families through T-shirt sales
Three Charlotte businesses are teaming up to raise money for the families of the victims.
Girl Tribe Co., Glory Days Apparel and 704 Shop each designed a limited edition T-shirt, two of which say "Charlotte Strong." The shirts are all priced at $38.
The shops said all proceeds will be combined and donated to the families, through a fundraiser with the First Responders Action Group (FRAG).
Partner Foundation connecting officers with resources
Kyle Baker, the founder of the Partner Foundation, is also raising money to help connect law enforcement officers involved in Monday's shooting with resources. He said it could be mental health or other holistic approaches, including active therapy.
Baker was a Concord officer who was involved in a 2020 shooting. He said the incident caused extreme mental fatigue and he's dedicated his life to helping others get the care they need.
“All the funds will go back to help the officers," Baker said. "We will get them connected and get their recovery started. Their recovery could take years like mine, so the sooner the better to lend that support."
Fundraiser for injured CMPD officer
A GoFundMe has been created to raise money for Chris Tolley, one of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers injured in the shooting. He is in stable condition after undergoing surgery, according to the fundraiser.
Editor's Note: The Statesville Police Department announced Tuesday evening one of its own officers was among those hurt during the incident. This means five officers were hurt Monday.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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