By Stacey Tinsley, stinsley@bossierpress.com
While the family of a Bossier Schools Resource Officer is still reeling from a traffic accident that left him with serious injuries, the community is stepping up to help.
On the morning of January 24, T.L. Rodes Elementary SRO Deputy Daniel Golden sustained serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle while directing school zone traffic on U.S. Hwy. 80.
Since the incident, the community has been moved to help raise funds for Dep. Golden and his family.
On February 8, T.L Rodes Elementary held a “Goofy for Golden” fundraiser day. In honor of Deputy Golden, students and staff where permitted to wear silly clothes, crazy hair, wigs, and more to have pictures and or video taken to be sent to Deputy Golden to lift his spirits as he recovers.
Also, cash or check donations were accepted on this day to help with fundraising for Deputy Golden and his family.
“Deputy Golden is healing, but has a long recovery ahead of him. We would like to help raise money to donate to his family,” said a memo sent to T.L Rodes Elementary staff and students’ families.
On February 19, five Bossier Parish Sonic locations will hold a fundraiser for Golden with 10 percent of all sales from 4-8 p.m. going towards Golden and his family.
“I just thought this was a great opportunity for us to help the community and the Sheriff’s Office. They are so great to us. We just want to give back as much as we can,” said Bo Cobb, area Sonic manager.
As previously reported by the Press-Tribune, Golden is a 10-year veteran of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, with service from 2007 to 2012, and then again from 2013 to present. He became SRO at the beginning of this school year.
In a statement released last month following the accident, Sheriff Julian Whittington asked for the community’s thoughts and prayers for Golden and his family during his recovery and encouraged residents to pay careful attention in school zones.
“I ask that you keep Dep. Golden and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he begins a road of recovery in front of him,” said Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington. “We encourage all motorists to pay careful attention as we protect the lives of our children, teachers, parents, and deputies.”
