When Warren County representatives approached St. Louis BackStoppers about forming a local committee to support the organization, they predicted the local communities would rally behind the fundraising effort. That support was evident Saturday night. The Warren County BackStoppers raised around $34,000 at the group’s first dinner dance with more money expected to be collected, easily topping the goal of $15,000 set by the committee. Marthasville Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus, who serves as president of the committee that is comprised of representatives from every emergency responder agency in the county, was overwhelmed by the support. Backhaus said the silent and oral auction raised $15,000 alone at Saturday’s event. “We thought $10,000 for the first year would be outstanding,” Backhaus said. “The support of the community and the business people was unbelievable. “In the tough economic times, you never know going into an event like this. The community around here, as a whole in Warren County, has pretty much supported emergency services whenever we ask.” The St. Louis BackStoppers organization provides support and financial assistance to the spouses and children of local and county police officers, firefighters, publicly funded paramedics and EMTs, and volunteer fire protection units who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The assistance includes paying for school, a family’s mortgage, health and dental coverage and college tuition. The organization, formed in 1959, assists families in 13 counties in Missouri and five in Illinois. Once expenses are subtracted from the overall fundraising total, Backhaus said he expected about $30,000 to be donated to the St. Louis BackStoppers group. Along with the successful auctions, the evening included a dance featuring the band Phase Five. Backhaus said around 360 people attended the gathering held at St. Ignatius Community Center in Concord Hill. Only 400 tickets were available. “I thought it went really well,” he said. “The goal was to raise money, but we wanted people to enjoy themselves and have a good time.” Two families with Warren County ties are benefiting from the BackStoppers organization. Paul Fricke, a Warren County deputy and Hawk Point police chief, was killed Aug. 27, 2010, while on duty. He was driving south on Highway 47 exiting Hawk Point when he lost control of his police cruiser and struck a utility pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In October 2002, Truesdale police officer Vernon Seals was killed after being struck by a vehicle that was being chased by other officers on Interstate 70. Paintings of both fallen officers were on display Saturday night. Backhaus said the Warren County BackStoppers committee is expected to meet within the next couple of weeks to recap this year’s event and begin preparations for next year. He said a date and location should be announced within the next month.