Chesterfield restaurant honors wounded officers, dedicates K-9 patio
TL;DR: Charred Swift Creek restaurant in Chesterfield honored two wounded officers and dedicated a dog-friendly patio to K-9 Knight, killed in the May 31 shooting that injured the officers.
Quick facts
- Who: Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells; K-9 Knight; Charred Swift Creek restaurant
- What: Restaurant fundraiser donating 20% of profits; patio dedication to fallen police dog
- When: June 11, 2026 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.); incident May 31, 2026
- Where: Charred Swift Creek, 13451 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, Virginia
The story
Charred Swift Creek restaurant in Midlothian hosted a day-long fundraiser on June 11, 2026, to support Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells, who were shot while responding to a call on May 31 at the 12900 block of Gumfork Place. Officer Clark was shot seven times and Officer Wells twice, both requiring multiple surgeries and ongoing recovery. The restaurant pledged 20% of its daily profits to the officers' families, with sister restaurant Social 52 contributing an additional 10% of sales. General Manager Will McLaughlin emphasized the event's purpose, stating "They're an officer as well, and what the dog did was extremely brave" in reference to the dog-friendly patio being dedicated in K-9 Knight's honor.
K-9 Knight, a five-year-old German Shepherd and Malinois mix, was killed during the same incident. The dog had served with the Chesterfield Police Department for four years under the care of Corporal John Walsh, assisting in tracking, apprehension, and other operations. The restaurant officially dedicated its dog-friendly patio space to Knight's memory and plans to install a bronze plaque to commemorate the K-9's service and sacrifice.
The community has rallied to support the wounded officers through multiple initiatives. Beyond the restaurant fundraiser, a t-shirt fundraiser was launched to benefit the officers, and Johnston-Willis Hospital organized a blood drive that collected over 100 units. A memorial for K-9 Knight has also grown outside the Chesterfield Police Building on Iron Bridge Road as residents have come to pay their respects.
The May 31 shooting occurred when police responded to a domestic incident at the Gumfork Place residence. Court documents indicate that grenades, a cannonball, body armor, and firearms converted into fully-automatic weapons were found inside the home. The incident underscores both the dangers officers face in the field and the broader community support that emerges in response to such tragedies.
Key players
- Officer Jacob Clark: Chesterfield Police officer injured in May 31 shooting
- Officer Jacob Wells: Chesterfield Police officer injured in May 31 shooting
- K-9 Knight: Police dog killed in May 31 shooting
- Charred Swift Creek: Restaurant that hosted fundraiser and dedicated patio
- Will McLaughlin: General Manager, Charred Swift Creek
- Corporal John Walsh: K-9 Knight's handler
Key dates
- 2026-05-31: Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells shot; K-9 Knight killed in incident at Gumfork Place
- 2026-06-11: Charred Swift Creek fundraiser and K-9 Knight patio dedication (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
The case for
This fundraiser demonstrates direct community support for officers and their families during recovery, reduces financial burden during medical expenses and time away from work, and honors the sacrifice of service animals who face the same risks as human officers. It raises awareness of the dangers law enforcement encounters.
The case against
While honoring service is important, reliance on community fundraisers for officer and family support could indicate gaps in official benefits or workers' compensation coverage. Resources might be better directed toward addressing preventive safety measures or ensuring officers have adequate institutional support without depending on private charity.
Why it matters: The fundraiser and memorial reflect how Chesterfield residents respond to threats against local law enforcement and their commitment to honoring those who serve, while also raising questions about how communities and institutions support wounded officers and their families during recovery.
Places
- Charred Swift Creek restaurant
- 12900 block Gumfork Place
- Chesterfield Police Building, Iron Bridge Road
Development timeline
- 2026-05-31Shooting at Gumfork Place: Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells shot while responding to domestic incident; K-9 Knight killed; suspect arrested [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/charred-swift-creek-officer-fundraiser-june-11-2026)
- 2026-06-02Officers Identified: Chesterfield police identify wounded officers and arrest suspect [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/06/02/chesterfield-police-identify-officers-shot-arrest-suspect/)
- 2026-06-11Charred Swift Creek Fundraiser: Restaurant hosts all-day fundraiser; 20% of profits pledged to officers' families; dog-friendly patio dedicated to K-9 Knight's memory [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/charred-swift-creek-officer-fundraiser-june-11-2026)
Related links
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield Restaurant →
Sources
- WTVR - Chesterfield Restaurant Hosting Fundraiser for Wounded Officers
- 12 On Your Side - Chesterfield Police Identify Officers Shot
- WRIC - K-9 Knight Remembered
- WTVR - Community Rallies to Support Wounded Officers