Sartell Residents Raise Money To Support The Families of Fallen Officers

(KNSI) – On Tuesday, more than $5,000 raised by a group of Sartell area residents was donated to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (MN LEMA). The organization pays for and plans funerals for officers killed in the line of duty.

Submitted by Jen Smith

The money was raised from selling thin blue line yard signs and car decals at a Back the Blue Rally held at Winners Bar and Grill in Sartell on October 14th. The rally was in response to the Sartell Police Department’s announcement that they were removing the “thin blue line” decals from patrol vehicles and replacing them with a different decal. The flags became controversial after Sartell resident Hannah Koloski argued the symbol had been co-opted by pro-policing groups like “blue lives matter” to mock calls for racial justice, police accountability and the black lives matter movement.

The Sartell Police Departments new decal Photo taken by Jake Judd (KNSI News)

The rally raised $4,535 and H&S Heating & A/C in St. Cloud donated $1,000 to the group. Sartell Patrol Officer Jacob Walters says the donation shows the community cares.

“It’s a great reminder that our community supports us, and we knew that all along. But to have people come out and just simply say thank you, while showing support to our causes and in our our interest is a great honor and it’s a great reminder of how much we’re appreciated and that really keeps us going during difficult times.”

Officer Walters is a member of the LEMA Honor guard and has been with the police department for seven years. Commander of the LEMA Honor Guard Dave Holmquist talked about what their organization does and how the money will be used.

“Donations like this help us carry out our mission and be able to find everything the family wants to honor fallen officer. Thousands of cops show up at a funeral and there is a lot of expense that goes with that. We want to make sure that’s not a burden to that family. We want to make sure that funds like this go to support that and make sure we can provide a proper send off for fallen officer.”

The check presentation was held on Tuesday afternoon at Winners Bar and Grill in Sartell.