Thursday evening, a restaurant in eastern Dallas County will hold a fundraiser for the family of Mesquite Police Officer Richard Houston. Houston was shot and killed when responding to a disturbance last Friday, and his funeral is Thursday afternoon.
From 4-9 p.m. Thursday, Kearney's Feed Yard will hold a fundraiser for Houston's family. Kearney's worked with the Mesquite Police Association and non-profit, Brotherhood for the Fallen, to set up the event.
"We're just trying to help out the community," says Seth Gilbreath, manager of Kearney's Feed Yard. "I'm from a small east Texas town, and that's just how I was raised, we always help everybody out. That's what we're trying to do here, show support for police, for the family."
Gilbreath says 25% of all sales will go to the family. He says several neighboring businesses have agreed to match whatever Kearney's donates. He hopes to raise $20,000 for Houston's family.
"He gave the ultimate sacrifice," Gilbreath says. "Our police officers, they're here and protecting us. They help when your car breaks down. They do just about everything in the community. It's just so sad when something like this happens. Not only did they lose a great man, a police officer, they lost a father, they lost a husband, they lost a son. It's terrible."
Brotherhood for the Fallen says 100% of sales from t-shirts during the event will go Houston's family. The organization expects at least 100 officers from different departments to attend.
"They love helping the community," Gilbreath says. "It's way more than a job. That's a profession; that's a lifestyle. That's true love for the community."
He says he is setting up an outdoor serving area for when the restaurant fills up. He is also bringing staff from another restaurant under the same ownership.
The fundraiser runs from 4-9 p.m. Thursday at Kearney's Feed Yard:
3602 N. Belt Line Rd.
Sunnyvale, TX 75182
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