Restaurant fundraiser honors wounded officers, dedicates patio to K-9
TL;DR: Charred Swift Creek restaurant raised funds for two wounded Chesterfield officers while dedicating a dog-friendly patio to K-9 Knight, a German Shepherd killed in the shooting that injured the officers.
Quick facts
- Who: Charred Swift Creek restaurant, Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells, K-9 Knight, Gary Shaw (suspect)
- What: Restaurant fundraiser donating proceeds to wounded officers and dedicating patio to slain police K-9
- When: June 12, 2026
- Where: Charred Swift Creek restaurant, Midlothian, Virginia
The story
On June 12, Charred Swift Creek restaurant in Midlothian hosted a community fundraiser to support two Chesterfield County police officers recovering from critical injuries sustained during a May 31 shooting. Officer Jacob Clark, 25, was shot seven times and has undergone multiple surgeries. Officer Jacob Wells, 40, received 71 units of blood after being shot twice. Both men remain hospitalized at Chippenham Hospital as they begin their long recoveries.
The restaurant donated 20 percent of all sales that day to the officers' families. Sister establishment Social 52 also participated, donating 10 percent of their sales to the cause. The dual-location fundraiser reflects the broader community support that has mobilized in the days since the May 31 incident on Gumfork Place in Midlothian, where officers responded to a domestic call and came under fire from suspect Gary Shaw, 65.
As part of the community's tribute, Charred Swift Creek dedicated its outdoor dog-friendly patio to K-9 Knight, the five-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix killed during the shooting. Knight had served alongside Corporal John Walsh for four years, assisting in tracking and apprehension operations. The department released a statement: "Knight was named after the knights of old who lived by a code: protecting others through honor and bravery. He embodied that spirit every day he wore the badge." The restaurant plans to install a bronze plaque at the patio in Knight's honor.
Community support has been swift and substantial. A GoFundMe created by family friend Austin Glenn raised more than $78,000 within days of the incident. Shaw faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, one count of killing a police dog, and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Key players
- Charred Swift Creek: Restaurant hosting fundraiser
- Officer Jacob Clark: Wounded officer, shot seven times on May 31
- Officer Jacob Wells: Wounded officer, shot twice on May 31
- K-9 Knight: Police canine killed in the May 31 shooting
- Chesterfield County Police Department: Law enforcement agency
- Social 52: Sister restaurant, donated 10% of sales
Key dates
- 2026-05-31: Shooting occurred at 12900 block of Gumfork Place, Midlothian
- 2026-06-12: Charred Swift Creek and Social 52 fundraiser for injured officers
The case for
A community fundraiser and patio dedication recognize the service and sacrifice of fallen K-9 Knight while providing tangible financial support to families of injured first responders during their recovery, demonstrating solidarity with law enforcement and building public trust in the police department's mission.
The case against
While well-intentioned, relying on private fundraisers and charitable donations to support injured officers and their families highlights gaps in official workers compensation and benefits systems that should ensure first responders are protected without depending on community generosity. Police agencies and municipalities have a responsibility to adequately compensate and support officers injured in the line of duty.
Why it matters: The incident and response reflect both the risks police and police canines face in Chesterfield County and how the community mobilizes to support those harmed. For residents, it underscores the dangers officers encounter on routine calls and the importance of community solidarity during crises involving first responders.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-05-31Officers shot in domestic call response: Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells wounded, K-9 Knight killed at Gumfork Place [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/06/02/chesterfield-police-identify-officers-shot-arrest-suspect/)
- 2026-06-01Community memorial grows for K-9 Knight: Public tributes and memorials established for the slain police canine [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/knight-memorial-grows-june-2-2026)
- 2026-06-07Community rallies to support wounded officers: Various community initiatives and fundraisers organized for officer families [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/how-community-is-supporting-wounded-chesterfield-officers-june-7-2026)
- 2026-06-12Restaurant fundraiser and patio dedication: Charred Swift Creek donates 20% of sales; Social 52 donates 10%; patio dedicated to K-9 Knight [[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
- Chesterfield restaurant hosting fundraiser for wounded officers, dedicates dog-friendly patio to K-9 Knight
- Midlothian restaurant donating portion of sales to help families of injured police officers
- Community rallies to support Chesterfield officers after shooting
- Chesterfield police identify officers shot, arrest suspect
- K-9 Knight memorial page
- Knight's legacy will live on: Chesterfield police remember K-9 killed in shooting