After two Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputies were shot and two officers were injured while attempting to execute an arrest warrant last week, a local organization shifted the focus of their event held Sunday to support those affected.

The Bagley Fire Department had a pancake breakfast fundraiser scheduled over a month in advance, with the objective to raise funds for their volunteer department, but after deputies Kent Gries, Steven Henry, and Jim Mink were injured in the shooting that occurred in Stuart, the firefighters decided for all of their proceeds to go towards the sheriff’s office.

Bagley Assistant Fire Chief and Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Jeremy Cooper describes his reaction to the shooting, “It’s shocking, and that’s part of the reason why we wanted to support those guys was just because it’s something that we don’t want to see happen in our communities, and we’re just thankful that nobody died that night.”

Cooper says several sheriff’s office personnel, other surrounding firefighters and Emergency Medical Services staff attended the breakfast, where a freewill donation was accepted. Firefighter Daniel Irving says he’s proud of Guthrie County’s law enforcement, “Obviously, the situation we wish it never would have happened. But we’re glad that we’re at least doing our part to kind of help out and give back, and just let them know that we’ve got their back, so it’s a good feeling.”

Cooper says they are in talks with Sheriff Marty Arganbright on how to donate the funds. Possible ideas include giving care packages, donating to their reserve program, or helping purchase new equipment for the deputies.