Beef & Beer Benefit to fund foundation in memory of Spicer

On Sept. 1, 2009, Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer was killed in the line of duty, leaving behind his daughter, Aubrey, who was 3 years old at the time. Following his death, members of the Georgetown fire and police departments decided to put together a benefit in Spicer’s honor.

Spicer

“It all started with my brother Jeremy, after Chad got shot,” recalled James Locklear, who is a current member of the fire department and former officer in the police department. “He wanted to do something, because he had a direct tie to it. We grew up with Chad. He and Chad, and the rest of us had been friends for years, so he felt the need to start something and do something for Aubrey in Chad’s memory.”

Locklear said that the tragic event brought together so many people who were touched by Spicer’s life.

“The support has always been good because of how many friends and how many people Chad had touched. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with us. It’s the people who knew him. All those people like to come back together once a year and have a good time and socialize about what’s happened in the last year. It always brings up stories of Chad and things he did, things we remember about Chad.”

The Beef and Beer Benefit will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Georgetown Fire Hall. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. T-shirts will be sold and attendees will have the chance to participate in raffles, win door prizes and bid on silent and live auction items.

Food available at the event includes beer, roast beef, coleslaw, green beans, potatoes, rolls and beverages, prepared by members of the fire company and police department.

“It’s prepared by the fire company and the police department, and then there are just quite a few friends of Chad’s. That’s what we all are. It’s really just friends of Chad.”

Locklear said that, this year, the proceeds from the event will not go to Spicer’s daughter, but rather to help fund a new foundation.

“There were complaints that Aubrey had enough money from the people in the public, and it started to be negative,” explained Locklear. “Norman and RuthAnn Spicer didn’t want anything negative, so we’ve refocused the event to still keep the memory of Chad, but to donate money to… other families that are in a similar need or situation, where they’re met with an unforeseen situation — to try to give back to those families, as well.”

Locklear said that he and the committee, as well as the members of the fire company and police department hope the event is well-attended, and that friends of Spicer’s will attend to share their memories of him, in support of such a worthy cause.

“We don’t necessarily aim for any type of monetary number. It’s more the success is rated off of people and them having a good time and enjoying themselves. It’s just turned the focus on being a positive event for Chad in his memory.”

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (302) 856-6613 or visit www.georgetown77.com.