HELENA – The “Back the Blue Barbecue” kicked off at noon at the North Helena Safeway on Wednesday.
Dozens of local Firemen, Police Officers, Military Personnel and community members came out to show their support.
The Barbecue is to support Montana Highway Patrol Trooper, Wade Palmer who was shot three times in while investigating a Missoula shooting nearly two weeks ago.
He was taken to Salt Lake City where his condition remains critical. Palmer has been with Montana Highway Patrol since 2012 and in 2014 earned the patrol’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor.
Trooper Palmer has a wife and two children; all money will support Palmer and his family while he receives treatment. Organizers estimate over $10,000 was raised.
Eric Dowell, Assistant Store Manager stated, “Yeah, and taking care of them, show the police department that we have their back, that our store is here to support, and we will take care of whatever we can to help out.”
Dowell said they will cook until they run out of food.
For more information on donating to Trooper Palmer and his family, the Montana Highway Patrol has compiled a list of all the approved fundraisers, please see below.
A Note about Fundraisers: We have been so blessed by the generosity of many during this difficult time and so many of you have reached out wanting to donate or even create your own fundraisers. Our hearts are full as we see the community gather to support the victims of these senseless acts. 99% of everyone has been fantastic. Unfortunately, tragedies such as these often bring some not so nice folks and opportunists out of the woodwork. This week we have had to shut down one fraudulent GoFund Me account and today we heard that Missoula County Sheriff’s Office received a report of someone calling people and pretending to collect funds in support of the Palmer Family. The last thing we want is someone using Trooper Palmer or his family to make a quick buck, so with that in mind, we thought that we’d put together a list of fundraisers that have been approved by the family.
We will continue to update this list as more gets approved. This process will help ensure that the family’s wishes are being respected and that the money is going to them. Additionally, MHP staff are keeping track of fundraisers that have been mentioned on social media, so that we can follow up with these and make sure the money is routed appropriately. If you see something that you aren’t sure about, please contact us. If you have a fundraiser that you’d like to be added to the list, please reach out to us so that we can work with you to make sure that everything is in accordance with the family’s wishes.
The Palmer family has approved the following fundraisers:
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- Kristin Kilpela GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/trooper-wade-palmer-expense-fund
- Danielle Greenland GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/trooper-wade-palmer - Trooper Wade Palmer Benefit Account at First Interstate Bank: Deposits can be made at any branch or by mailing a check to 2500 N. Reserve St. Missoula, MT. 59808
- Garden of Readn
- Safeway Back the Blue BBQ https://www.facebook.com/events/1936163449846401/
- Evaro Bar Spaghetti Dinner and Auction https://www.facebook.com/events/2414903658544608/
- Crawford Distillery Benefit https://www.facebook.com/events/390919411692283/
- Skeleton Key Bracelets https://bit.ly/2WcqJe4
- Blushing Pineapple Crafts Decals https://bit.ly/2TXpv9p
- Westside Bowling Lanes 50/50
- Livingston First Responders Jars
- Ink by Zink T-Shirts
- Missoula Fresh Market Register Round Up
- CPG Stevensville/ Community Medical Center
- Get Strife Lifestyle Apparel Back the Blue Wear the Green T-Shirts
- Exit 96 Shine car wash
- Utah Fraternal Order of Police: https://bit.ly/2uDsWDXAlternative Athletics / CrossFit hero workout & BBQ in Billings this Friday.
- Origami Owl Jewelry (a percentage of commissioned sales will go to Palmer Family): https://bit.ly/2HXioan
- Even Superheroes Have Heroes hats and headbands: https://www.facebook.com/Evensuperheroeshaveheroes
- Havre: Crawford Distillery is hosting an event at 4PM with $1 from every drink sold benefiting the Palmer family. Fat Billy and the Boyz BBQ will be selling BBQ with $1 per each meal sold going to the Palmers.
Lastly, we do not have any new updates to share on Trooper Palmer at this time. We will keep everyone updated as possible. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
A Note about Fundraisers: We have been so blessed by the generosity of many during this difficult time and so many of…
Posted by Montana Highway Patrol on Friday, March 22, 2019
