The Ballwin Police Department threw a big thank you party for the community this week.
Wednesday night, families flocked to the police department for tours and to meet the officers patrolling their streets. Ballwin hosted the event to say thank you for the community’s support following the shooting of one of their officers, Mike Flamion.
Flamion was paralyzed when a suspect shot him earlier this month. A GoFundMe page set up to support his family has surpassed $300,000.
“The department will never be the same but we’re healing,” said Lt. Kevin Lorne. “We do what we have to do because that's what Mike would want us to do.”
Lorne said Ballwin police are amazed at the support they’ve received, not just locally, but from around the world. The walls inside the department are papered with cards and they continue to receive gifts, calls and various other items.
“It just doesn't end. We knew we had support here. We didn't know we had this much support here,” he said. “It’s incredible.”
Sarah Mensinger brought her family to the event to thank the officers for their service.
She watched as her young daughter, Meghan, climbed through a police cruiser – fascinated by all the gadgets inside.
“I think it’s important to show our kids that the police officers are nice and that they're here to help them and to support the community. So we thought it was important for them to be a part of the process, too.”
