Sheriff donates to Behind the Badge Foundation
Grant County Sheriff’s Office/courtesy photo Left to right, Behind the Badge board president Brian Johnston, board member Dave Martin, Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones and board member Kyle Nelson.
SEATTLE — Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones presented a check for over $75,000, which was raised during the John Bernard Memorial Golf Tournament, to the Behind the Badge Foundation on Monday.
The money was raised during the first annual John Bernard Memorial Golf Tournament, which was held on May 11. The tournament netted over $100,000, $76,500 of which went to the Behind the Badge Foundation. The foundation was established to provide support to Washington law enforcement agencies, families and communities after an officer dies or suffers a serious injury in the line of duty.
“Behind the Badge Foundation serves survivors of a line of duty death. (Spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, in-laws, affected co-workers and chaplains.) Behind the Badge also serves law enforcement officers who continue to serve and protect our communities, and their families,” reads to foundation’s website.
Deputy John Bernard was involved in a single vehicle collision while patrolling Jan. 3, 2010. Bernard had cleared a call when his patrol vehicle left the road and rolled as he was traveling on Road 5 Northwest at state Route 283, about nine miles south of Ephrata.
"I really believe this tournament was a way to continue to honor and remember John, while also raising money for an outstanding organization. The support we received for this golf tournament was staggering. The generosity of our sponsors was truly humbling,” Jones said.
Jones, who serves as a board member for the Behind the Badge Foundation, is committed to holding the tournament again in 2018.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.