S&S Tire hosts fundraiser for Kentucky officer shot in line of duty

LEXINGTON, Ky. — S&S Tire Corp. recently raised funds to help a local sheriff's deputy shot in the line of duty.

On Sept. 11 Deputy Jaime Morales of the Scott County (Ky.) Sheriff's Office, along with other members of law enforcement, was attempting to take a suspected serial bank robber into custody when he was shot. The injury left him paralyzed.

Lexington-based S&S Tire Corp.'s account manager, Jameson Reynolds, enlisted Ron and Jason Shade of S&S Tire & Auto Service-Beaumont Center in Lexington to raise funds for the downed officer. They sponsored a free cookout at the store, took donations and sold T-shirts emblazoned with #217Strong (Deputy Morales' badge number).

With S&S Tire's corporate donation, the company said it raised more than $5,000 for the officer's medical needs. The event received media coverage on area TV and radio news which helped spiked online donations and additional T-shirt sales, the dealership said.

"While sitting here grilling hot dogs and hamburgers at the event, a gentleman came in from one of the area horse farms," Mr. Reynolds said. "He gave us a tip on a horse that ran at Churchill (Downs Racetrack) that day."

Ironically, the horse's name was American Hero and he came in a winner, Mr. Reynolds said.