Monday afternoon more than 350 motorcycle riders came together as one community in LaPorte County for a fundraiser to support sheriff’s deputy Jon Samuelson and his family.
Samuelson, a 12-year veteran of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, was shot and injured last week while on the job. The Sheriff’s Office says his medical team remains optimistic regarding his recovery, although he is still in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition.
Monday, which happened to be Samuelson’s birthday, hundreds of people across LaPorte County attended a motorcycle ride fundraiser to raise money for Samuelson’s recovery.
“Veterans, law enforcement, firefighters we all speak a fluent language, and when an officer went down just being a good human-being it was time for us to do something,” said Curtis Mordus with Warriors Oath VMS Plymouth. “I know Jon from passing, great guy, great cop, and I saw a cop that was in need and he was just doing good things for our community.”
Warriors Oath VMS Plymouth, a nonprofit organization helping veterans, hosted the event.
“I’ve known the Samuelson family for a long time,” said Brad Stormer, a veteran and former Michigan City Police Department officer. “I was devastated. Like I said this shouldn’t happen to anybody, but especially a police officer who is out there trying to do his job is a terrible tragedy.”
Stormer worked with Samuelson’s dad at the Michigan City Police Department. Samuelson’s grandfather was also the Police Chief in La Porte, Indiana.
“They put their life in harms way just like the military does, and you need to support them and show them that they do make a difference in their communities,” Stormer said.
All of the donations from Monday’s event will go to Samuelson and his family. There is also a meal train organized by the South Bend Police Department Peer Support team to help his family while they remain in the hospital. You can find more information here.
