Chesterfield restaurant hosts fundraiser for wounded officers, honors K-9 Knight
TL;DR: Charred Swift Creek restaurant in Midlothian held a fundraiser for two wounded Chesterfield County police officers and dedicated its new dog-friendly patio to K-9 Knight, a police dog killed in the same May 31 shooting.
Quick facts
- Who: Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells; K-9 Knight; Charred Swift Creek restaurant; Chesterfield County Police Department
- What: Restaurant fundraiser and dog-friendly patio dedication honoring a fallen police dog and supporting wounded officers
- When: May 31, 2026 (shooting); June 11, 2026 (fundraiser day)
- Where: 13451 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, Chesterfield County, Virginia (restaurant); 12900 block of Gumfork Place, Midlothian (incident location)
The story
On May 31, 2026, Chesterfield County police officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells responded to a domestic disturbance call at 12900 block of Gumfork Place in Midlothian. The suspect's mother had called 911 reporting gunfire inside the home. When officers arrived at 4:40 p.m. and entered the residence, the suspect opened fire with a long gun, striking both officers and K-9 Knight, a 5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix serving alongside Corporal John Walsh. Officer Clark sustained seven gunshot wounds and underwent multiple surgeries, receiving 71 units of blood. Officer Wells was shot twice—once in the bicep and once in a grazing wound to his wrist. Both officers continue to recover and are doing well. K-9 Knight, born in Slovakia and assigned to the department approximately five years ago, was fatally wounded and did not survive his injuries.
In recognition of the officers' sacrifice and Knight's service, Charred Swift Creek restaurant in Midlothian launched a community fundraiser on June 11, 2026. The restaurant, located at 13451 Hull Street Road, donated 20% of its profits that day to the families of Officers Clark and Wells, while sister restaurant Social 52 contributed 10% of their daily sales. General Manager Will McLaughlin stated that the dog-friendly patio dedication reflects the department's values: "They're an officer as well, and what the dog did was extremely brave." A bronze plaque honoring K-9 Knight will be installed at the patio in the future.
The community response has been substantial and multifaceted. The Chesterfield County Police Foundation established dedicated support funds for both officers. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $60,000 within days. Blood drives organized in partnership with Johnston-Willis Hospital filled to capacity as residents sought to replenish supplies used during emergency response. At Chesterfield Police headquarters, a growing memorial to K-9 Knight features flowers, cards, and dog toys left by community members honoring his sacrifice and service to the county.
The incident underscores the risks law enforcement and police animals face in the line of duty. Officers Clark and Wells, who represent second-generation police families in Virginia, are supported not only by their departments but by a community that recognizes the dangers they accept to protect others.
Key players
- Charred Swift Creek — Local restaurant hosting fundraiser and dedicating patio to K-9 Knight
- Jacob Clark — Chesterfield County police officer wounded in shooting; 5-year veteran assigned to Swift Creek Patrol Division
- Jacob Wells — Chesterfield County police officer wounded in shooting; 10-year veteran assigned to Swift Creek Patrol Division
- K-9 Knight — 5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix killed in line of duty
- Corporal John Walsh — K-9 Knight's handler; served together for four years
- Will McLaughlin — General Manager, Charred Swift Creek
- Chesterfield County Police Department — Agency whose officers and K-9 were involved in the incident
- Social 52 — Sister restaurant contributing 10% of sales to fundraiser
Key dates
- 2026-05-31 — Domestic disturbance shooting incident; Officers Clark and Wells wounded; K-9 Knight killed
- 2026-06-11 — Charred Swift Creek fundraiser; 20% of profits donated to wounded officers' families
The case for
The fundraiser and public memorialization recognize both the immediate needs of the injured officers and their families facing extended recovery and medical costs, and the broader principle that police animals deserve recognition as working officers who make sacrifices in service to the community. The restaurant's initiative demonstrates how local businesses can mobilize quickly to support public servants. The dog-friendly patio serves as a permanent, tangible tribute that honors the bond between handlers and K-9s and educates the public about police animals' contributions.
The case against
While community support is valuable, some argue that responsibility for comprehensive care of injured officers—medical expenses, lost wages, long-term rehabilitation—should primarily rest with government and official police support funds rather than rely on private charity and fundraising. The memorialization, though well-intentioned, could overshadow focus on the human officers' ongoing recovery needs, which may extend months or years and require sustained, systemic support rather than one-time fundraising events.
Why it matters: The incident and community response highlight both the real dangers Chesterfield County law enforcement faces and the county's commitment to supporting those injured in service. For residents, it underscores the importance of mental health resources, worker compensation policies, and community infrastructure to support officers and their families through extended recoveries from traumatic events.
Places
- Charred Swift Creek (restaurant)+Chesterfield+VA)
- Social 52 (restaurant)+Chesterfield+VA)
- Chesterfield County Police Department headquarters
- Hull Street Road
- Gumfork Place
- Midlothian
- Johnston-Willis Hospital
Development timeline
- 2026-05-31Shooting incident at Gumfork Place: Officers Clark and Wells respond to domestic disturbance call; suspect opens fire, wounding both officers and K-9 Knight fatally [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/k9-knight-police-shooting-june-1-2026)
- 2026-06-07Community support initiatives launched: Chesterfield County Police Foundation establishes funds; blood drives fill to capacity; GoFundMe exceeds $60,000; community leaves memorial tributes at police headquarters [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/how-community-is-supporting-wounded-chesterfield-officers-june-7-2026)
- 2026-06-11Charred Swift Creek fundraiser and K-9 Knight patio dedication: Restaurant donates 20% of daily profits to officers' families; sister restaurant Social 52 donates 10%; dog-friendly patio dedicated to K-9 Knight with planned bronze plaque installation [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/charred-swift-creek-officer-fundraiser-june-11-2026)
Related links
- Charred Swift Creek restaurant fundraiser coverage
- Community support efforts for wounded officers
- K-9 Knight memorial and police shooting details
- Officer Down Memorial Page (K-9 Knight)
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →
Sources
- Chesterfield restaurant hosting fundraiser for wounded officers, dedicates dog-friendly patio to K-9 Knight
- Chesterfield Police remember Knight, K-9 killed in shooting
- Community rallies to support Chesterfield officers after shooting
- Knight, Chesterfield County Police Department, Virginia
- Chesterfield memorial grows for police K9 Knight