MICHIGAN, USA — Less than a week after the death of a Michigan State Trooper in Saginaw County last week, the owner of "Hold The Line" is doing something to remember him.
The local apparel company created by first responders, is using their platform to support a local hero's legacy. After launching a ‘benefit collection’ on their website for Trooper Joel Popp, the community did not hesitate to show their support.
Last Wednesday Trooper Popp was conducting a traffic stop outside his vehicle on I-75 North near Birch Run Road around 7 p.m. when a driver hit two patrol cars and Popp. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
“To get that knock on the door, it's, it's devastating. And your life as you know, it's over,” said Hold The Line President Timothy Lewis.
Now the non-profit is doing everything possible to help support the wife and young daughter Popp left behind.
“We immediately started a fundraiser for his family,” said Lewis.
Memorial items like t-shirts, stickers, and challenge coins are now available for those in the community to wear in memory of Trooper Popp and his service. This isn’t the first time ‘hold the line’ has supported fallen officers.
“It started for me back when Trevor Slot was killed. And I organized the t-shirt fundraiser for him,” said Lewis.
Lewis knows the danger firsthand, "I'm a 34 year, law enforcement officer retired from Kent County Sheriff's Department.”
And while Lewis and the company were quick to jump into action so was the community.
“We have just about 1000 different orders," said Lewis.
All of the proceeds will go to Trooper Popp’s wife and daughter.
“These families still have expensive expenses, they got insurance, they got medical expenses, they got you know, day to day expenses, car insurance, house insurance, those bills all go go forward," said Lewis.
Lewis stresses the importance of the Slow Down or ‘Move over law’ to prevent incidents like this from happening again.
You can find the fundraiser items here.
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