By Chris OrletRecord Managing EditorFour years ago, the Warren County BackStoppers group surpassed its wildest expectations by raising $30,000 at its first dinner dance, doubling the initial fund-raising goal.Since then the fund-raising goal has grown. The second annual event reaped $40,000 that was donated to BackStoppers. Last year the event raised $50,000.Marthasville Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus, who serves as the president of the local BackStoppers committee, is hopeful for another big turnout at this year’s event. He has a goal of $60,000 to help families coping with the loss of an emergency responder while on duty.The fourth annual Warren County BackStoppers Dinner Dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at the St. Ignatius Community Center in Concord Hill. The event will include a buffet-style dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. and a dance featuring the band “Phase Five” from 8 p.m. until midnight.“I think it will be a huge success,” Backhaus said.Silent and oral auctions will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. featuring donated items from local businesses.Tickets are $25 per person and are available by calling Warrenton Fire Protection District Station 1 at 636-456-8935 or Backhaus at 636-667-3434. Cash donations and auction items also can be donated by calling either number.Only 400 tickets will be sold.Sponsorships also are available ranging from $1 to $1,000. Backhaus said a sponsor book will be printed highlighting all sponsors.In addition, any business or individual’s sponsorship greater than $250 will be displayed on a sign at the event in the hall.Ameren Missouri is sponsoring the dinner, according to Backhaus.“We hope to see everyone there,” he said. “We hope they come out to support a great event. We’re doing it for a good cause.”BackStoppers provides support and financial assistance to the spouses and children of local and county police officers, firefighters, publicly funded paramedics and EMTs 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 assists families in 13 counties in Missouri, including Warren and Franklin, and five in Illinois.Three 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.Lonnie Cole, who was killed in October 2003, was a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.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.BackStoppers hope to exceed fund-raising mark