PEARL, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Pearl residents and its emergency responders are beginning the healing process after losing officer Mike Walter, 37. It began Sunday afternoon at the "All About Detective Mike Walter Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show and Shine.
Police Chief Ben Schuler says the support from the community is helping heal the wounds of loss for the department and Walter's family.
"You never know how many lives you touch until something like this. It's sorrow but it's a great thing at the same time," says Schuler.
"The ties that bind are strong in Pearl, Mississippi, and we're gonna support this family and we're gonna be there for them in the weeks and months and years to come, and we're never gonna forget Mike," said Mayor Brad Rogers.
Through his death, the community is learning more about the fallen officer.
It's the exact same things family friends already knew.
"Absolutely mike would be overwhelmed. He probably would be running for the hills cause he doesn't like this publicity stuff. He was just a great humble guy that really wanted to do his job and do it well," says family friend Andy Stewart.
Many folks at Sunday's fundraiser didn't know Walter but wanted the family to know they cared.
"Anytime you got somebody out there that's gone put their life on the line for just common people, they're heroes," said Pearl resident Mike Baldwin.
All proceeds from Sunday's car show will go directly to Walter's family.
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