Here’s some good news after a very rough week marked by the fatal shooting of five police officers in Dallas followed by Black Lives Matter protests at which demonstrators pelted police with debris from a construction site and launched fireworks into their ranks.
As Twitchy reported, the day after the Dallas massacre, an officer in Ballwin, Mo., was ambushed and shot from behind in the neck by a man with a lengthy criminal record who had been stopped for speeding. The officer, who was hospitalized in critical but stable condition, has been identified as Mike Flamion, a nine-year law enforcement veteran.
#pressrelease #ballwin pic.twitter.com/kvhXSqRGnR
— Ballwin Police Dept (@BallwinPolice) July 10, 2016
The response from the Ballwin community has been amazing and deserves mention. We apologize in advance for anyone overlooked, but rest assured, your efforts are appreciated.
A GoFundMe page (currently at $90,000) was set up for Officer Flamion almost immediately, well before his name had even been released by the department. On Saturday, others with an entrepreneurial spirit took lemons and made lemonade.
In the scorching heat, these children raised > $1000 with their lemonade stand for wounded @BallwinPolice officer. pic.twitter.com/OLBOj5aEr9
— Metro West Fire Dist (@MetroWestFire) July 9, 2016
Way to go @FairwayElem Eagles!! #charactermatters https://t.co/S251OYU6jf
— Fairway Elementary (@FairwayElem) July 10, 2016
Another group of young people on Sunday set up a lemonade stand in front of a local grocery to raise money for the officer, and once word got out, the endeavor managed to raise more than $4,000.
Come out to the lemonade stand at Dierbergs in Ellisville. 1-5 PM today.
To benefit @BallwinPolice Officer Flamion. pic.twitter.com/g02QMi0OOe
— Metro West Fire Dist (@MetroWestFire) July 10, 2016
All of the proceeds from this #LemonAIDEstand go to @BallwinPolice officer Flamion ?? Story on @ksdknews at 5pm pic.twitter.com/By4371un8t
— Jeanie Smith (@JeanieSmithKSDK) July 10, 2016
Congratulations Tori, CJ, and Kenzie for raising more than $4,000 for @BallwinPolice Officer Flamion!#Ballwin https://t.co/ysS4ysTVdi
— Metro West Fire Dist (@MetroWestFire) July 11, 2016
The community has also been decorated in blue ribbons in support of Officer Flamion.
I ask our community to tie a blue ribbon on their mailbox to show support for our officer that was shot today and hope for a speedy recovery
— Tim Pogue (@Pogue63021) July 8, 2016
Holy Infant Class of 2016 Grads decorated New Ballwin and gave out ribbons in local neighborhoods today @Pogue63021 pic.twitter.com/ddd7fBU5mj
— GLORIA (@msssoccer7) July 10, 2016
Blue ribbons abound in support of local officers. pic.twitter.com/eEwxrZdyeG
— West Newsmagazine (@WestNewsmag) July 10, 2016
Anyone can come to Selvidge Middle School at 10am on July 9th. We will be cutting ribbon/distributing-bring ribbon! https://t.co/L8yyzshwNb
— Selvidge Stallions (@SMSstallions) July 9, 2016
Thank you @SMSstallions for your support and making all those blue ribbons. ? pic.twitter.com/PbxXiCCkFp
— Tim Pogue (@Pogue63021) July 9, 2016
That is a lot of support. @SMSstallions ? for @BallwinPolice pic.twitter.com/aesBn3tOx7
— Tim Pogue (@Pogue63021) July 9, 2016
Monday 9-11, another opportunity to pick up a blue ribbon for your mailbox. https://t.co/sV7Ef0kFTr
— Dr. Amy Digman (@PrincipalRM) July 11, 2016
Fundraisers will continue next weekend.
Saturday 7-16-2016 #BallwinStrong pic.twitter.com/xf7IITODHT
— Auto Spa Etc. (@AutoSpaEtc) July 11, 2016
All of this lemonade talk has made someone a little sour:
is anyone raising money for the families of #PhilandoCastile or #AltonSterling? No…so who cares.
— wholesome food addict? (@IamChefRykard) July 11, 2016
A private chef, huh? Putting together a lemonade stand should be child’s play, then.
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