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September 28, 2004
DJs raise funds for slain officers
Ashley Mendivil
Mesa Legend
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“As soon as I heard the story, I thought of the kids who were left without fathers.”
Ruben S. |
“This was an
opportunity to say thank you to all the officers.”
Crazy Kid |
Photo by Rebecca Straughmatt Mesa Legend |
When two Valley disc jockeys, Krazy Kid and Ruben S. of KISS FM heard of the shooting deaths of Phoenix Police Officers, Jason Wolfe and Eric White, they were quick to respond to the families.
The officers were killed in the line of duty, Aug. 28, while trying to detain Douglas Tater, who had barricaded himself in an apartment at 19th Avenue and Northern, in Phoenix. The officers kicked down the apartment door and were fatally shot by Tater, whom the officers suspected was holding a hostage inside.
“As soon as I heard the story, I thought of the kids who were left without fathers, and when Kid walked in the next morning and said, ‘Hey, we have to do something about this,’ I was totally on the same page,” Ruben said.
Kid echoed the sentiment. “I felt we had to do something because too many times you hear about people running into officers on their worst day, so this was an opportunity for us and the community to say thank you to all the officers for everything they do.”
The idea of a car wash was announced over the airwaves the Monday following the shootings and, after receiving a call from a Danny’s Family Carousel in North Phoenix, the date was set for Sept. 2. Many companies responded by announcing they would donate a certain amount of money per car that was washed. Some waitresses and hairdressers even donated days and weeks worth of tips and certain businesses contributed such items as water, pizza and ice cream, for everyone at the car wash.
Ruben hoped the community would come together like he has seen in the past. “We did a car wash for an officer five years ago, who was shot in front of her boyfriend, right in front of her daughter, and the car for her was huge. We washed about 800 cars and raised about $35,000. So when this situation came up, I wanted to surpass that.”
Kid, who knew the community could pull through, believed that they would not be able to raise as much money as the previous car wash. “I was hoping for maybe 800 cars and about $20,000.”
But the DJs exceeded their goal and commended the community for pulling through once again. Kid and Ruben’s previous amount of money raised had been nearly tripled, with 1,300 cars washed, and approximately $50,000 raised. The money went straight to the 100 Club, a non-profit organization designed to help fallen or injured police officers and firefighters, throughout Arizona.
The effects of the car wash and KISS FM’s actions were felt even by Mesa Community College Safety and students.
MCC Director of Safety and former Police Officer, Steve Corich, knew his department would be thankful for the 100 Club donations. “We (College Safety) heard about the car wash in our department and were touched by the generosity throughout the community. What the radio station and the community put forth was unbelievable.
“We have some officers who have worked on a police force in the past, including myself, so when an officer from anywhere is killed, we feel the pain just like any other person who is trying to protect a community would.”
One student, Kimberly Haile, shared her feelings by saying a small prayer every time an officer, ambulance or fire engine goes by.
“I’ve thought about those officers a lot since they were killed and it’s really heartbreaking. They and the other officers in the past, paid the ultimate price for someone they didn’t even know. After this incident, getting pulled over won’t seem so bad. I view officers as heroes now, just doing their job and keeping this city safe.”
Donations to the 100 Club can still be made at any Arizona Federal Credit Union under the officer’s names, or visit the web site at www.100club.org.
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