Supporters Plan Fundraiser For Wounded Fort Worth Officer
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) — Fort Worth police tweeted Sunday night that wounded Officer Matthew Pearce continues to improve. He remains in critical condition, but supporters are hoping for some good news soon.
On Monday the public will have a chance to show support for Pearce by coming to one of a number of participating Chick-Fil-A restaurants to buy T-shirts to raise money for his family. Sunday night several hundred of his supporters got an early start.
Volunteers spent the day making preparations for all the locations across the Fort Worth area that will take part in the fundraiser for Pearce. For those like Tabatha Mayfield, who preordered her Team Pearce shirt, Sunday was an opportunity to have it ready to wear Monday.
"What happened was right down the road from us. It just means a lot for our community," Mayfield said.
Pearce was critically wounded earlier this month. He was hit seven times in a shootout with a wanted fugitive and that suspect's son.
Yvonne Hernandez, whose husband is also a Fort Worth officer, says she's encouraged by the outpouring of support from the community.
"It's nice to know that we have family and friends and the whole community to come out and help us in this time of need. You know this could be any of us," Hernandez said.
Pearce remains hospitalized, and loved ones have given public updates on his recovery. A recent post revealed Pearce is making progress toward the goal of removing a breathing tube, but he continues to struggle with internal injuries from the gunshot wounds. Now supporters hope the public can not only help financially but also boost the family's spirits in these difficult times.
"I hope they know that we're all supporting them. We're all behind them, and we'll do anything to help support them," Mayfield said.
T-shirts will be on sale Monday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurants will also donate 20 percent of sales during that time to the Pearce family. You can find a list of participating restaurants here.
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