SCOTT COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18)– The community has wasted no time jumping into action to raise money for the Scott County deputy who was injured in a shooting last week.
Everyone in Scott County has adopted #217Strong as their rally cry. The hashtag is based on Deputy Jaime Morales’ badge number. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office has sold more than 1,000 shirts with the hashtag on it, and it is plastered on signs in schools.
At Scott County Middle School, $1,500 was raised in just two days to help Deputy Morales and his family.
“I want them to know I’m here for them,” said student Kennedy Wagoner.
She said she has been thinking about Deputy Morales a lot. Her dad is a Police Officer in Georgetown.
“It’s been really sad for me lately, knowing that it could’ve been him,” she said.
“You see things on TV, and you’re sad every time something happens, but it was one of ours,” said Special Education teacher Angie Gillette.
A Piece of Cake bakery in Georgetown is even selling #217Strong cupcakes to raise money for the fund the Scott County Sheriff’s Office has set up for Deputy Morales.
“I’ve never met him, but I just felt there had to be something I can do,” said owner Kristy Geise. “And who doesn’t love cupcakes?”
Morales was shot while helping officers arrest a wanted Florida man, now, according to Sheriff Tony Hampton, much of his body is paralyzed.
As Morales and his family face the long road to recovery ahead, it is evident he is far from alone.
