ET100 Club forms in support of fallen first responders

There’s a new way to support East Texas’s first responders and law enforcement.

Citizens and businesses are invited to become members of the East Texas 100 Club and show their commitment to helping survivors of first responders and improving law enforcement capabilities by providing funding. The East Texas 100 Club is a non-profit, community-based organization that provides financial support to the dependents of law enforcement officers who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty in Anderson, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur and Wood counties. The club also provides equipment and educational opportunities for law enforcement that can’t be secured through budgeted governmental funds.

“It’s really a very worthwhile organization,” Rusk resident and longtime 100 Club member Ben Middlebrooks said. “I was a member of Houston’s 100 Club for many years, and I’m very pleased there’s a local chapter now, too. They really do some great things for our police and other emergency responders’ families.”

Six Cherokee County officers have died in the line of duty since 1883. They are:

• JPD City Marshal William A. Clark, 39 – end of watch, Aug. 30, 1883. Clark was shot and killed while confronting a man he observed carrying a pistol in violation of the city ordinance.

• JPD Night Officer Harry Floyd Hooke, 33 – end of watch, July 22, 1913. Hooker was shot and killed after making contact with a man who was suspected of robbing a drunk man.

• CCSO Sheriff Bill Brunt, 28 – end of watch, Aug. 3, 1939. Sheriff Brunt was shot and killed after stopping a car suspected of transporting beer through the county.

• CCSO Deputy Dean Chapman, 45 – end of watch, Dec. 31, 1954. Deputy Chapman was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene of an accident.

• JPD Officer Roscoe Lee, 46 – end of watch, June 30, 1979. Officer Lee was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a bar on the corner of Lincoln and Main streets.

• JPD Patrol Officer Randy J. Zimmerman, 30 – end of watch, Oct. 2, 1992. Officer Zimmerman was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call.

Sponsors have a choice of levels of support, starting at a yearly standard subscription of $100. Corporate and lifetime memberships, which never expire, are also available for up to $1,500. Supporters get window stickers, listings on the official website, newsletters, special advertising and sponsorship opportunities and more.

Mail subscription or donation checks to East Texas 100, 501 N Madison Ave., Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455; or donate online at easttexas100club.org.

The East Texas Police Chiefs Association began the process of creating the ET100 Club in 2017.

“By setting up the 100 Club, we can assure survivors of first responders will be able to continue after their loss and set long term goals for improving law enforcement resources,” the Club’s website states. “We are starting this club to make a difference in our region. As we progress, the club can become more aggressive and set program goals that influence a greater number of public safety entities and programs. We must start somewhere.”

The 100 Club was first established by five Houston men in 1953, who recruited 100 members. In 2001, the Club expanded to include firefighters. Today, the organization has grown to include more than 30,000 members across Texas.

The ET 100 Club’s board currently consists of 13 members and is looking for more representatives of counties in the coverage area.

“East Texas Police Chiefs are looking for influential community-minded business owners and individuals to step forward and be on our 100 Club Board,” the website states. “This is an opportunity to make a difference in our region and in your community.”

Anyone interested in serving on the board can download a board of directors’ application from the club’s website, etpca.net.