Last week, we learned that Joshua Ballman, son of fallen Officer Tom Ballman, had written a beautiful letter thanking The Corner Pub & Grill family of restaurants for their support of The BackStoppers.  We were very touched by his kind words.  It quickly became clear Joshua’s letter had a big impact on the community.  Comments of support and gratitude poured in on social media.  Many took time out of their day to share memories of Officer Ballman and tell Joshua he and his family remain in their thoughts.

The Corner Pub & Grill co-owner Brant Baldanza was no exception.  He recently posted his heartfelt response, which we’re happy to share here-

Letter from The Corner Pub & Grill family of restaurants thanking Joshua Ballman, son of fallen Officer Tom Ballman EOW 2/7/08.

We’re grateful to have the support of Brant Baldanza, Jon Fogarty, and everyone in The Corner Pub & Grill family to help us continue our mission.

It is an honor to help Joshua and his family.  He’s a wonderful person, of whom we’re very proud.  Joshua’s letter written from the heart is included here-

Letter from Joshua Ballman, son of fallen Officer Tom Ballman EOW 2/7/08, thanking The Corner Pub & Grill family of restaurants for their great support of The BackStoppers

Officer Tom Ballman was killed in the line of duty on February 7th, 2008 when a man opened fire on a City Council meeting in Kirkwood, MO.  After fatally shooting Sgt. Biggs outside, the gunman entered the meeting and approached and shot Officer Ballman.  The man then killed three others and wounded two more.  Officer Ballman had served with the Kirkwood Police Department for 9 years and was the department’s spokesperson and community service officer.  He had previously served with the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department for two years.  He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.  We are eternally grateful to Officer Tom Ballman for making the ultimate sacrifice for our safety.

In March, Scarecrow asked patrons to “enjoy a pint and raise money for the fallen”.  And they did just that.  By selling Donation Shamrocks benefiting The BackStoppers at the Chesterfield restaurant, Scarecrow raised $1,700 for families of fallen first responders!

Thank you co-owners Chris Mertz and Shawn Mulholland and everyone at Scarecrow who sold the shamrocks.  We are very grateful for this support, which helps us to help those who’ve lost a loved one in the line of duty.

Thank you everyone who supported The BackStoppers through the purchase of a Donation Shamrock this month.  You help us to continue our cause of easing the burdens placed on families affected by tragedy.

The BackStoppers Executive Director Chief Ron Battelle accepts $1,700 Donation Shamrock fundraiser total from Scarecrow Co-owner Shawn Mulholland.

President and CEO of Edwin-Claude, Inc. Paul Abrams presents a $10,000 donation for the Education Fund from the ECI First Responder Membership Challenge to BackStoppers Board Member Chief (Ret.) Jerry Lee, Executive Director Chief (Ret.) Ron Battelle, and President Mike Shanahan, Jr.

In May of last year, we announced that Mr. Paul Abrams, President and CEO of Edwin-Claude, Inc. had issued a challenge: add 200 new first responder members in 2015, and ECI would donate $10,000 to The BackStoppers Education Fund.  We’re happy to announce first responders stepped up to the challenge and exceeded our goal.  In 2015, we added over 230 new first responder members!

The BackStoppers would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible.  Thank you to each and every first responder who became a member last year.  Thank you everyone who helped us spread the word about the Challenge.  Thank you Edwin-Claude, Inc. and Paul Abrams for your great support of our mission and the Education Fund, and for your work to increase awareness of The BackStoppers in our coverage area.

This wonderful support helps us to continue our mission, and we are very grateful.

Read about the BackStoppers Education Fund.

OG Hospitality Group Co-Owners Brant Baldanza and Jon Fogarty and Mike (Carolyn not pictured) present a check for $80,000 to BackStoppers Executive Director Chief Ron Battelle, Board Members Chief Jim Silvernail and Bill Schicker, Chief Mike Krause and members of the Metro West Fire Protection District, and Deputy Chief Dave Frazier and members of the West County EMS & Fire Protection District. Photo by Christina Huck

Last month, OG Hospitality Group raised a fantastic $80,000 for The BackStoppers!  OG Hospitality staff members sold BackStoppers Bucks at each of their area restaurants, The Corner Pub & Grill, The Shack Breakfast & Lunch, and The Tavern Kitchen & Bar.  Through the generosity of everyone who purchased the BackStoppers Bucks and support from substantial private donors, BackStoppers Month was a great success.  

Photo by Christina Huck

We are very grateful to co-owners Brant Baldanza and John Fogarty, great supporters Mike and Carolyn, the hard working staff, and everyone who supported the fundraiser by purchasing BackStoppers Bucks. Thank you to everyone who helped raise $80,000 in one month!  This dedication and continued support helps us to help families of those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety.

We have just learned of the line of duty death of Officer Ronald Strittmatter of the Lakeshire Police Department and are now assisting his family.  Officer Strittmatter suffered a heart attack at home on January 3, 2015 following a shift during which he was on multiple calls.

Officer Strittmatter retired from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department after 24 years of service and had served with the Lakeshire Police Department for 4 years.  He is survived by his wife and son, both of whom are police officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Strittmatter’s family, friends, and co-workers.

Officer Ronald Strittmatter
Lakeshire Police Department
EOW 1/3/15

With the addition of the family of Officer Ronald Strittmatter, we are now assisting 76 families with 63 dependent children and have assisted a total of 155 families since 1959.