ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Round Rock Police Officers Association is raising money to help an officer still recovering after being seriously injured when he was hit by a car.

Officer Charles Whites is currently undergoing physical therapy at a rehab center, almost two months after he was hit by a car along I-35. He was there responding to a fatal accident earlier.

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Officer Whites suffered a head injury, several fractured bones, and internal injuries.

“It’s not about your family and my family, it’s our family, and we all come together to help each other when we need something whether it’s emotional support, physical support, monetary support," said Sergeant Marc Gray of the Round Rock Police Department. 

Sunday, the Round Rock Police Officers Association organized a barbecue fundraiser to support Whites.

“They choose to go into that every day knowing that there are risks, but yet they know that they’re serving their fellow man and that calling is much greater than the risk that they endure and they’re willing to incur that,” said Assistant Police Chief Willie Richards. 

Tanya Estrada and Alice Moeller were among the dozens of vendors donating a portion of their proceeds. Their booths were next to each other, and they’re both married to Round Rock police officers. 

“It really hit close to home when Officer Whites was injured and we’ve been praying for him and his wife and his family, and felt like this was the least that we could do, and felt like this was the least that we could do,” said Moeller, who is the owner of SK Michael.

“They’re putting their lives on the line all the time, you never know if someone could do anything to them at any time, so it’s really scary. If it happened to my family or my husband, I know that a lot of people would be there to help us out, so same thing, we’re there to help them,” said Estrada, owner of Sweets by Tanya.

The city covers Whites’ medical expenses, but sales from the food, t-shirts, and silent auction will help cover any unforeseen expenses during his recovery. Hundreds attended the benefit. 

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

  • A web page has been set up to accept donations for Charles at roundrockrelief.firstresponderprocessing.com
  • PayPal account holders can send money to the Round Rock Police Foundation via admin@roundrockpolicefoundation.org. Be sure to include in the memo “Charles Whites and his Family.”
  • Checks can be made payable to: Round Rock Police Foundation with a memo line note “The Benefit of Charles Whites and his family.”
  • Donations may also be dropped off at the Round Rock Police Department (2701 North Mays), or mailed to the following address:

            Round Rock Police Foundation, Inc.
            P.O. Box 424
            Round Rock, TX 78680