Raffle rakes in more than $40,000 for officer fund

More than 200 people gathered in the bike-packed parking lot of Mid-America Harley-Davidson on Saturday afternoon to feast on hot dogs, attend a raffle and support the Officer Down Fund.

The company sold 560 raffle tickets for $100 each. Steve Tuchschmidt, co-owner of Mid-America Harley-Davidson, was overwhelmed by how many tickets were distributed and said the event raised more than $40,000 for the fund. The bike up for grabs was a 2005 Harley-Davidson Road King.

Brad Nelson, west district commander for the Columbia Police Department, sold 113 tickets, many of which were bought by police officers.

“I wanted to help out with this event because I knew Molly Bowden well, and this is a great cause,” Nelson said.

Officer Molly Bowden was shot in the line of duty Jan. 10 and died Feb. 10. Officer Corey Bowden, Bowden’s husband, also bought a ticket. On the memo line of the check he wrote one word, “Molly.”

Officer Curtis Brown, who was injured in the pursuit of Bowden’s shooter, drew the winning raffle ticket. The winner, Max Dills, was not present.

By March 1, the Officer Down Fund had raised close to $110,000 in the wake of Bowden’s shooting.