Crime & Safety
Fundraiser raises $13K for injured Smyrna police officer
The proceeds from the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation's Standing Together Benevolent Motorcycle Ride and Raffle will benefit Officer Jed Minyard and his family.
The fun times at the may be over, but the foundation continues to support Smyrna police officer Jed Minyard in his time of need.
Members of the SPSF executive committee, Shell Obson of and Kenny Burts of Kenny's Great Pies, presented Minyard and his wife Ashley with a check for $13,000 at the Smyrna Police Department on Monday. The money was raised from raffle ticket sales.
“We’re both super humble people and I try not to ask for anything from anybody,” Minyard said. “This is overwhelming. We’ve never been the kind of people to take help. This is touching for sure.”
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Minyard was injured last fall in an on-duty motorcycle accident. He has since undergone several surgeries to repair his leg and fight an infection in the bone. Minyard will undergo another surgery on Wednesday, but it may not be enough to save his leg.
“I’ve got a bad infection in my bone, so I hope the doctor paid attention in school,” he said. “If it doesn’t get any better now I’ll probably lose it.”
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Ashley Minyard said she and her family are praying for healing. She’s grateful for the help of her husband’s fellow public safety officers.
“We’re very thankful for what the community and the city has done for us,” she said. “It means a lot. We’ve had a rough struggle and it’s nice to be paid back for what Jed does in his community.”
Burts said that while much of the work public safety officials do is overlooked, he's proud to step up and show his appreciation.
“People don’t often think about public safety, police and fire rescue until a time of need,” Burts said. “But when that need arises they want them now. So it’s interesting how important that is and how they’re always there for us in times of need. I think that’s something so many people take for granted. Everybody’s had their time of need.”
SPSF's next event is the Smyrna Auction for Heroes Gala, Saturday, Sept. 10 at Brawner Hall. This event features live performance by Kingsized and Wesley Cook. Tickets can be purchased at www.SmyrnaHeroesGala.com. Log on to Smyrna Auction for Heroes Facebook page for up-to-date information on the Gala, its sponsors and heroes, and extraordinary items up for auction.