(Berrien County, MI) - A fund raiser near Three Oaks generated over $40,000 for a police officer from just across the state line continuing his recovery from being shot.
Over 200 people attended the fund raiser Sunday, July 26, at Deer Creek Hunt Club. A $95 ticket included a barbecue lunch and other side dishes like sweet corn and a round of skeet shooting along with live music.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office provided the shotgun shells for the over 150 people who took part in firing at clay pigeons. Additional funds were raised during a silent auction for items ranging from a charter boat fishing trip to a football, helmet and jersey donated by the Chicago Bears.
“It was a great event for a great cause. We continue to keep Jon in our thoughts and prayers,” said Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit.
La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Samuelson is at a rehabilitation center after hospitalized for several weeks when shot multiple times in May. One of the bullets lodged in his upper spine causing paralysis from the chest down.
According to family members, the 33-year old Samuelson is experiencing tingling, movement and occasional spasms in his legs and lower back. He’s spending up to five hours a day in therapy doing things like hand pedaling a mountain bike. Samuelson has also transitioned from an electric to a standard wheelchair.
“He told me the absolute, 100-percent thing that he’s focused on is walking again. He’s very determined,” said Mike Kellems, a former co-worker, who has visited Samuelson a few times since the shooting.
The suspect, Sharrod Grafton, Jr., 22. of Chicago continues to be held on $100,000 cash only bond after his request for a lower bail was denied by a judge on June 12. He’s scheduled for trial on November 9 on charges that include Level 1 felony attempted murder.
Authorities said Grafton after stealing his mother’s car at gunpoint in Chicago was in La Porte County when Samuelson thinking he was a disabled motorist stopped to help. Samuelson as requested drove Grafton to Franciscan Health, a hospital near Michigan City, and left but soon returned after learning he was a suspect in the auto theft.
After confronting Grafton, there was a struggle before Samuelson was shot in the emergency room area.
Playing a lead role in the fund raiser was State Representative Randy Novak of Michigan City, who revealed there were a number of sponsors for the event contributing anywhere from $250 to $2,500 apiece. The funds are going to Samuelson and his wife, Quinn, to help them out financially.
“What we did is just a small, small thing in the big picture to try and make his life a little easier, a little better in the future,” he said.
