Backing the Blue Is Its Own Reward

With all the bad news that 2020 has heaped on us so far, it’s good to find an occasional ray of light breaking through the dark clouds.

Especially for police under siege in America.

Police in Missouri are helping a local mother who donated her lottery winnings to an officer who was shot in the head earlier this month.

Like the widow’s mite, this woman’s lottery winnings were hardly about to pay for retirement in luxury, “but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had”.

Shetera Sims said she’s no stranger to hard times. With only $7 in her pocket, she recently tried a scratch-off ticket and won $100.

Sims said her daughter, Rakiya, came up with the idea of how to spend it.

“I said, ‘We should donate it to the police officer that got shot for his family,’” Rakiya said.

“It was her idea, and I went along with it,” Sims said. “She’s a special child.”

The story gets even better, though.

Kansas City police, in turn, helped set up a GoFundMe account for Sims. More than $9,500 had been raised as of Monday night.

“To hear her call and just express thanks for no reason … it’s really impactful to us,” said police Sgt. Jake Becchina.

The officer whom Sims helped was shot and left in critical condition on July 2.

While BLM activists are demanding that police be abolished, ordinary black Americans know full well how much their communities need police.

Sims and her daughter felt for the officer — and police in general — for personal reasons.

Sims’ daughter, Karyia, was murdered in 2012. Sims said police solved the case and were supportive the whole time.

“That was the worst day of my life. I can’t even talk about it,” Sims said.
Sims, who plans to use the money raised for her to catch up on bills, says she’s grateful.

“[I want the officer to know] that we’re here for him if he needs us,” Sims said. “There’s more people in the community here for him than you can imagine.”

The Kansas City Police Department said the injured officer is recovering well.

If you enjoyed this BFD article please consider sharing it with your friends.