Wife of wounded MHP trooper thankful for community support
(KPAX) The wife of the Montana Highway Patrol trooper who was shot in the head and critically wounded in a Friday shooting in Evaro is thanking the community for the outpouring of support.
Lindsey Palmer, the wife of Trooper Wade Palmer, provided a statement for the patrol to share on Monday morning.
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Montana and Utah for all of their support, and to all of the caring people throughout the nation that have offered prayers and positive messages,” the statement read.
“To all the Brothers & Sisters in Blue, words cannot express the appreciation we have for all that you have done & for reaching out. We are holding strong & the continued aid is greatly appreciated.”
“Knowing that our communities are coming together at our time of need is a great comfort. It gives us the ability to focus our attention on Wade & family, which is the most important thing at this time. Hold the Line Stay Strong.”
Over the weekend, the patrol asked that anyone who has information about rumors circulating online about Trooper Palmer send them a private message on Facebook so those concerns can be addressed.
People wishing to send cards or letters can send them to the Montana Highway Patrol Headquarters, Attn: Palmer Family, 2550 Prospect Avenue, Helena, MT, 59620
A GoFundMe account set up to help the Palmer family has already raised over $125,000. You can donate by clicking here.
Palmer, along with victims Julie Blanchard and Casey Blanchard — who were shot in a related incident in Missoula — are continuing to recover from the ordeal.
Shelley Hayes — the third person shot in the Missoula incident near Airway Boulevard — passed away Friday.
Online fundraising accounts have also been set up for Hayes, and Casey Blanchard and Julie Blanchard.
The suspect in the shootings — Johnathan Bertsch — faces one count of deliberate homicide as well as three counts of attempted deliberate homicide in connection with the shootings.
Bertsch is expected to make his initial court appearance on Monday in Missoula Justice Court.