By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com
ERATH COUNTY (September 10, 2016) – It’s no secret Texans back the blue. Creed Cahill and Texas Life Magazine are no different, organizing an event this weekend to raise funds for an area official who was injured in the line of duty.
The Stephenville-based publication has a regular feature recognizing law enforcement officials – and other heroes in uniform – for sacrificing their own wellbeing while safeguarding the lives of others.
The inaugural issue of Texas Life Magazine hit newsstands in August, featuring an article written by Officer Scott Daily about Erath County Sheriff Deputy Dustin Paulsen.
After serving other departments in Comanche, Wise and Hamilton counties, Paulsen’s service in Erath County began just nine months before he sustained life-altering injuries. His patrol car was struck by a drunk driver in April, sidelining his career. But, his service to citizens began years earlier.
Paulsen signed on with the United States Navy in 1995, serving as member of the 105th Strike Fighter Squadron. During his three-year stint in the Navy, he also served in Bosnia and the Mediterranean. Following his final tour, he spent an additional six years as a reservist.
“With nine years in the military, 17 years in law enforcement, being shot twice, stabbed twice…,” Daily wrote. “This patriot has selflessly given himself to our country and our community and now we as a community have an opportunity to selflessly give back to him.”
While the article asked for community members to support Paulsen by contributing to a benefit account at First Financial Bank and portion of associated ad sales were also contributed to his family, Cahill decided to host a truly Texas benefit as well.
“When we are need of help, we call 911,” Cahill said. “And when those responders are hurt, that’s a 911 call out to the community.”
Texas Life Magazine presents its Inaugural Patriot Day Golf Jam this Sunday, September 11. Hosted by Legend’s Country Club, the event includes a full afternoon of golf with a six-person, nine-hole scramble that tees of at 3 p.m. It also includes live music, throughout the day, with Jody Lee Caudle and Texas Homegrown Radio broadcasting the event. Local entertainer Buck Fuffallo helped roundup a full slate of singer/songwriters, including Giovannie Yanez, Billy Hartman, Dillan Poe, Thomas Napp, Jon Young, Clayton Landua, Josh Harville, Rob Brooks, Justin Bell and other special guests.
Cahill said he couldn’t find a more fitting time to bring together community members than the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 or more fitting beneficiary.
“Dustin Paulsen is the definition of a patriot,” Cahill said. “He has spent his entire adult life doing nothing but giving to others, and he never asked for anything in return. What better day to honor him and his sacrifice than on Patriot Day?”
Entry fee for the golf scramble includes a golf cart, raffle ticket and dinner for $50 per person. Golfers are asked to call Legend’s Country Club at 254-968-2200 to sign up, and those who don’t have a group will be assigned one.
Individuals who just want to get their fill of Texas Music and a meal will be charged a $10 admission fee.
Raffle items, including a Remington 783 Combo 22-250, Remington 870 Express 12 Gauge Shotgun, Ruger LCP 9MM Pistol, NFL autographed football, 35-quart Pelican Cooler, and more will also be up for grabs. Tickets are one for $25 or five for $100. Purchasers don’t have to be present to win, but they do need to call Cahill at 254-595-1966 to purchase their tickets before the event.
Finally, organizers of another benefit set for Saturday, The Texas Tee-Bagger Classic in Memory of Cavin James, have pledged support to the Paulsen family.
“They said Cavin would have loved to help a veteran officer in need,” Cahill said. “That’s who Cavin was, he loved to help people.”
Paulsen, who is currently undergoing physical therapy, said he has been touched by the ongoing outpouring of support, and he plans to show his appreciation in person.
“Come out Sunday for the 9/11 celebration at Legend’s,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of great live music, and I plan on being out there all day if I can.”
Paulsen is facing two more surgeries, one to remove the rods from his leg and hip and another to reconstruct his knee. He is allowed to put 25-percent of his weight on his foot, which has crushed in the accident. He is also asking doctors to release him to return to light duty job assignments.
“I haven’t had any luck with that yet,” he said.
Read the story of the accident which Paulsen miraculously survived in an earlier report from The Flash.
Be the first to comment