FRANKFORT – Two Illinois law enforcement officers whose lives were suddenly cut off while in the line of duty this year were honored last week with the help of Frankfort-based "Midwest BBQ for the Brave" and the New York-based non-profit group, "Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation."
The two non-profit groups together paid in full Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Troy Chisum’s family’s mortgage as well as McHenry County Deputy Sheriff Jacob Keltner family's mortgage. Keltner was killed in March, attempting to serve a warrant. Chisum was killed in June while investigating a domestic violence complaint.
“These two men lost their lives protecting their communities. It is an honor to be able to tell the wives of these heroes that they never have to make another mortgage payment, that they will never have to worry about losing their homes. This financial burden is off their shoulders forever," said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller.
"It’s even more meaningful that we can make this announcement in their home state of Illinois, at the Midwest BBQ for the Brave. We have proudly partnered with them for the last seven years, and have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the people of the great state of Illinois," he said.
Frankfort's Gayla and Jim Smith founded and direct the Midwest BBQ for the Brave – an event they've held eight times. They've built up an impressive list of sponsors over the years as the attendance and impact grows. This year, Gayla told Illinois Review, the event was especially emotional.
"Frank Siller called Becki Keltner and Amanda Chisum on the stage with their children," Gayla said. "He handed them individual envelopes that paid off their mortgages and acknowledged their sacrifice. The ladies started crying and the audience started crying and our committee started crying… Other than the fact we were all crying – it was a spectacular benefit!"
And a wounded veteran from Texas was on hand to encourage those at the BBQ. Army Specialist, Kevin Trimble, a triple amputee, spoke about the greatness of America.
Facebook photo of Midwest BBQ for the Brave
In 2012, Jim and Gayla Smith hosted a BBQ in their backyard to raise money for Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Smart Home Program. The Foundation builds specially adapted, custom designed smart homes to help restore independence and improve the quality of life for our nation’s most catastrophically injured service members.
That first year, Jim and Gayla asked for a $20 donation and raised $2000. The BBQ has continued to grow, and has become a highly anticipated annual event at the CD & ME Special Events venue in Frankfort, IL. To date, the "Midwest BBQ for the Brave" has donated about $400,000 to the Smart Home Program.
But the year-long effort to put on their annual BBQ isn't all that Gayla does to honor those that have fallen in the line of duty. This week, she and 13 others will be going to New York to participate in the annual fundraiser for "Tunnel to Towers" – and grow the charities' impact even more. Gayla and others will be running in the Foundation's annual 5k race on September 29, 2019.
"We'd love to promote our participation in the 5K for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation," Gayla told Illinois Review. There's a Crowdwise fund set up for the effort HERE.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation was created after Stephen died during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. To date, the Foundation says it has spent over $125 million to support first responders, veterans and their families.
