SOUR LAKE, Texas — Restaurants and businesses across Southeast Texas are organizing fundraisers to help the Sour Lake police officer who was brutally beaten while on patrol Monday night.
Officer William 'Bill' McKeon, Jr., 59, is recovering in a Beaumont hospital after investigators say he was severely beaten outside a Sour Lake convenience store. McKeon called to J&R Market on Monday night about an unwanted person, Sour Lake Police Chief Aaron Burleson said.
Burleson said he was attacked by Bradley Joseph Pruitt, 45, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, almost immediately after getting out of his patrol car. Officer McKeon is suffering from a broken jaw, broken sinus cavity, eye socket and vertebrae, Burleson said.
FUNDRAISERS FOR OFFICER BILL:
(We will do our best to keep this post updated. If you have a fundraiser, please let us know so we can help get the word out!)
💙 Monetary Donations can be made at any Compass Bank - Just designate it for the William McKeon Fund.
💙 The Sour Lake Fire Department is doing a link sale THIS Friday, May 31st at Brookshire's in Sour Lake starting at 10:30. $5 - links, boudin, drinks, chips. 😋
💙 J&R Meat Market is selling raffle tickets for you to win a $150 meat package!! 🥩 Tickets are $5 for 1, or $10 for 3. Cash only - see a cashier at the store.
💙 Roc’s Coffee Shop is giving free snow ones Thursday & Friday of this week and accepting donations to give to the McKeons! 🍧
💙 Daniel Priest Farmers Insurance Agent office is accepting gift cards for the family to be able to grab food while at the hospital. Gift cards can be dropped off at their office in Lumberton at 347 S. Main St. Suite 100
💙 Show your support by putting blue ribbons on your trees, doors etc.
**In the works:
💙 The Knights Of Columbus Our Lady of Victory Council 3358 is putting together a barbecue fundraiser. Details coming.
💙 The Sour Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Hardin County Emergency Services District 5, along with the City of Sour Lake are planning a community fundraiser
💙 Bruno & George Winery is planning a special event fundraiser.
Here's more related coverage:
Beaumont man has close encounter with suspect in brutal attack on Sour Lake Police officer
'It's terrible': Community reacts to 'brutal beating' of Sour Lake police officer
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 12NewsNow app.
Have a news tip? Email 12news@12newsnow.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.