The Warren County Backstoppers eclipsed $1 million in total donations at their 13th annual dinner auction and dance on Feb. 15. The event was held at the St. Ignatius Community Center in Concord Hill and was sold out. 

According to preliminary estimates from organizer and Warren County 911 Dispatch Administrator Amy Leach, the event raised roughly $150,000 for the charity, although she said totals are still being examined. 

This was an increase from last year’s total of just over $140,000 and officials were very pleased with the turnout and the support from the community. 

“As a small rural community, this community shows up in force to support emergency services,” said Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison. “It is amazing the support, year after year, that they show.”

The Backstoppers organization operates across the greater St. Louis area in both Missouri and Illinois. They provide both emergency funding and ongoing support to the families of first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty. 

Currently, the Warren County Backstoppers support three families of officers who were killed in the line of duty – Lonnie Cole, a Warren County Sheriff’s deputy, Paul Fricke, former Hawk Point police chief,  and Truesdale Police Officer Vernon Seals. 

Harrison took a moment before the live auction started that evening to remember those officers, and had attendees join him in saying their names aloud and remembering their sacrifice. 

“I pray every night that this list never gets any bigger, but these guys paid the sacrifice and that’s what we’re here for tonight,” said Harrison. 

Backstoppers Executive Director and former St. Louis Police Chief Larry O’Toole was also present at the event to speak about its importance both in Warren County and for the larger Backstoppers organization. 

He spoke about the efforts the Backstoppers undertake as soon as the worst happens with a first responder. The organization takes steps to support the family first in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, and then into the future, clearing the family of debt and supporting education for the children. He then asked all current and former first responders in the room to stand. 

“We’re doing it for them,” said O’Toole. “This is what this is all about so their families will know, if that unfortunate day happens we’re gonna be there for them.” 

With those remarks the live auction got underway and turned into a very successful fundraiser. According to Leach the organization raised over $65,000 alone on the live auction, with an additional $12,000 raised during the silent auction. 

The largest of those sales was for a .357 magnum lever action carbine which was purchased by Greg Houdyshell for $3,100. 

The highlight of the evening however, was about halfway through the live auction, when officials realized they were going to break $1 million in donations. They distributed confetti cannons to the officers who were acting as spotters for the auction which were set off when they reached the total. 

The room erupted with applause following the announcement following the sale of a set of Cardinals tickets for $825 to Corey Eckenfels. He was called to the front and recognized for his purchase as Harrison told him had won $500 for being the buyer that brought them over the edge. 

Eckenfels promptly donated the prize money back to the fundraiser. 

Following the end of the live auction, when the rest of the evening’s festivities began, Harrison thanked all the donors and auctioneer Bart Korhman for his efforts. 

He said that while the funds raised that evening were heading to a good cause, he hoped they never have to use them. 

“If something bad were to happen, this is what’s going to step in and take care of their spouse and their kids,” said Harrison. “I hope we never need it, but if we do, this is the safety net under all of our first responders.”