37th Annual Guns ‘N Hoses event helps raise money for fallen first responders
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - “He would be so proud that the organization has stepped in to help me continue on,” says Nicole Boyd, widow of St. Louis Sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Boyd.
Boyd died in September 2024 after experiencing a medical emergency while on the job.
Nicole Boyd tells First Alert 4, “They have been a beacon of light during a very dark time.”
Boyd is referring to BackStoppers. The organization steps in and provides financial and emotional for families left behind after their loved one pays the ultimate sacrifice.
Lawrence O’Toole, Executive Director of the organization says, “The last several years this event has raised a million dollars for the BackStoppers.”
During Guns ‘N Hoses, men and women in blue and red go head to head in the boxing ring.
Davied Lewis of St. Louis City Fire Department is one of this year’s participants.
“The training was very intense. Even though you had to be at work, I had still had to go train and be back at work,” says Lewis.
According to BackStoppers, they are currently assisting 95 families and 75 children.
Five heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice were honored during the event.
One of those was Officer David Lee, an SLMPD Traffic Officer struck by a vehicle and killed while responding to a crash on I-70.
His widow, Tonya lee describing her experience with BackStoppers shortly after her husband’s ing, “I didn’t have to reach out to BackStoppers, BackStoppers reached out to me.”
In 37 years, the event has brought in over $12 million dollars.
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