From his brothers in blue to complete strangers, countless people have offered to donate to help a Portage County Sheriff’s deputy who was set on fire on Valentine’s Day.
The incident happened on State Route 44 while Sgt. Jim Acklin and other officers were attempting to serve a warrant at an address in Rootstown, where suspect Jay Brannon, 49, was located.
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office says as officers made contact with Brannon, he threw an ignited can of flammable liquid at the officers, hitting Acklin and burning more than 20 percent of his body.
Brannon, who faced a judge on Friday, was charged with multiple felony counts of murder and arson. He’s currently in a Portage County Jail.
Sgt. Acklin is recovering from his injuries at the Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Center. He suffered second and third degree burns which will require surgery.
With an officer down, the people of Rootstown and beyond are making it their duty to pick him up.
The Vice President of the Rootstown Lions Club says the non profit will collect donations and hold a benefit dinner for Acklin in March.
"Everybody I talked to about this [has] been on board," he said.
In Ravenna, R & M Auto Detailing is raising money for Acklin and his family until the end of March, donating $10 for every full detail. Also, the Portage County Sheriff’s office is collecting “gift cards, grocery cards and restaurant gifts cards” at its Ravenna office. People reached out on social media as well to offer their support and to express their willingness to help in anyway they can.
Resident Kathleen Eldridge says, during times of adversity, Portage County rises to the occasion. For an officer who paid his dues for decades, the community now wants to pay him back.
"We all come together when there is a need,” she said.
A GoFundMe account was also created by the Big Creek Search Dog Team, an organization where Acklin worked as a safety officer. As of Saturday, the account has raised more than $1,500.
Donations can be sent to the Rootstown Lions Club at the following address:
Post Office Box 132
Rootstown, Oho 44272