Help for a hero
Festivities raise funds to buy van for paralyzed officer
Olive Branch hasn’t forgotten its police officer who was shot before dawn on a summer morning nine years ago and lost the ability to walk.
Fundraisers over the years for Mark Ayers, paralyzed from the chest down when he was wounded in 2006, helped pay for medical care. Almost a decade later, the community again is coming to Ayers’ aid.
A weekend of festivities planned later this month is geared to raise money and buy the wounded officer a new van and wheelchair lift, replacing his 2005 model that breaks down frequently.
Multiple events are planned, mostly on July 11. Efforts already have resulted in thousands of dollars for the equipment.
“Every time I turn around, people have done a lot of stuff,” Ayers said. “Every chance I get, I tell them thank you.”
Ayers was shot twice June 29, 2006, while checking a blue Chrysler — later reported stolen — parked on old Goodman Road. Ayers’ partner, Doug Stanek, who also was shot, recovered. Authorities never identified the gunman.
Art Heun, the police chief at the time, said then the shooting was the day Olive Branch lost its innocence. Many in the suburb felt insulated from big-city crime.
Ayers remains employed by the Olive Branch Police Department. He works from his desk on intelligence — using a telephone and computer searching for information to solve crimes.
“He’s the one who sacrificed everything he could sacrifice, other than give his life,” said Amy Hughes, co-owner of Sweet Pea’s Table, an Olive Branch restaurant frequented by police, including by Ayers.
Hughes learned Ayers was having frequent breakdowns of his specially equipped van — malfunctions that caused him to occasionally miss work. Hughes decided to organize a weekend of events to raise money to purchase a new van and wheelchair lift. Without donations, it would cost about $60,000.
“My goal is to get him the van free and clear,” Hughes said.
Leigh Harris, a founder of Olive Branch Heroes, which helps injured officers, said people have contributed $15,000 to the cause, “and we’re three weeks out.”
All donations are being directed to The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, an independent, not-for-profit organization, so they will be tax deductible. The check memo line should read “Olive Branch Heroes/Mark Ayers.”
The main events at City Park on July 11 include a 5K, a 65-mile poker run, pistol competition, arts and crafts sales and raffles for donated goods.
Live music and food for purchase will add to the festivities.
Preregistration for the 5K is $20, and registration for the poker run is $25, and $10 for each additional hand.
The shooting competition opens at 9 a.m. July 11 at the Olive Branch police firing range on the south end of Ross Road South. The event is open to law enforcement officers and people with certain gun permits. Other restrictions also apply.
Tennis players will participate in a three-day tournament starting July 10. The entry fee is $45, and three sites will be used — City Park, Center Hill High School and the Southaven Tennis Center.
Mark Gardner, a DeSoto County supervisor and former president of the DeSoto County Tennis Association, said he has met Ayers and highly regards him.
“I just admire him, that he’s going at it every day,” Gardner said.
The Olive Branch Police Department posted a plea for information on the anniversary of the shooting this week. The post includes a sketch of the man they want. “Officer Ayers remains paralyzed but has shown so much heart in overcoming numerous obstacles,” the post reads.
“The OBPD would like nothing more than to bring the shooter of our officers to justice. Please call Crime Stoppers at (662) 429-8477 or call the OBPD detectives at (662) 895-4111 if you have any information.”