An online crowdfunding campaign in support of Darren Wilson, the police officer who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, has raised more than $150,000.
The “Support Officer Darren Wilson” page on GoFundMe.com has surpassed its goal at least four times since its creation on Sunday, its organizers said.
“We stand behind Officer Darren Wilson and his family during this trying time in their lives,” writes the page’s creators, using the name “Stand Up.”
“All proceeds will be sent directly to Darren Wilson and his family for any financial needs they may have including legal fees.”
Officer Wilson is on paid administrative leave and has not been arrested or charged with any crime.
Comments on the page have been disabled, but the messages posted alongside donations suggest that many are coming from fellow police officers across the country, The Daily Dot reported.
One message on a $500 donation reads, “As a retired, career police officer, I donate this from my pension; hope this helps. We support & believe in you! God bless, my brother! It could have been any of us!”
A $200 donation, signed by “Former Cop,” read: “Remember … you fought what others fear,” The Daily Dot reported.
By Thursday afternoon, the campaign had raised $154,000 from nearly 4,000 donors. A new goal has been set for $200,000.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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