Benefit to help ISP Sgt. Bennett who has cancer

An Idaho State Police sergeant is facing the fight of his life against a serious form of bone cancer and his fellow peace officers from throughout the region are rallying to help him and his family.

Sgt. Kevin Bennett, who served as an ISP resident trooper in Boundary County for about 10 years before recently being promoted to sergeant and transferred to Coeur d’Alene, has undergone several lengthy hospital stays and trips to Seattle for treatment, which has included several blood transfusions and will require an eventual bone marrow transplant.

“Kevin would never ask anyone for help,” said fellow ISP trooper Allen Ashby, one of several officers who is stepping forward to help a friend in need.

“He is one who is always trying to help others. In the past, every penny he saved was spent on numerous mission trips to Haiti to help start schools and churches, and to bring others much needed medicines and medical supplies. He’s very giving, a devoted family man, and we are simply trying to help him out like he’s helped so many others.”

A “Team Bennett” donation fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank, and donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Branch, and his fellow officers are holding a raffle drawing for three firearms, including a gently used .357 Remington “Comanche III” Magnum revolver donated by a U.S. Border Patrol agent who worked alongside Bennett and wishes to remain anonymous.

Also being raffled are a new Browning 50th anniversary edition Ducks Unlimited A5 .12 gauge shotgun, valued at over $2,300 and donated by ISP trooper Chris Donahue, and a Glock 19 Compact 9mm pistol, donated by Ed Santos, Center Target Sports, Post Falls.

Tickets are $5 each, available through the Idaho State Police District 1 office, 615 W. Wilbur Ave., Coeur d’Alene, (208) 209-8620, or by contacting Jennifer Sullivan, at Jennifer.sullivan@isp.idaho.gov. In Boundary County, contact Crystal Denton or Kathi VanMeter at the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, 6438 Kootenai Street, Bonners Ferry, (208) 267-3151.

Checks should be made payable to “Team Bennett Donation.”

Tickets will be on sale through Jan. 11 and the drawing will be held Jan. 25, 2013. The winners must be legally allowed to receive and own a firearm under state and federal laws and are responsible for transfer fees.

Info: e-mail Jennifer Sullivan, (208) 209-8620.