Fundraising for Highway Patrol trooper shot at Evaro exceeds expectations

The “301 Strong Benefit” for injured Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer far exceeded expectations.

The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the Missoula City Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol and others to organize the event last weekend, which was held at Neptune Aviation.

The coordinator for the benefit, Missoula County Sheriff Detective Mike Sunderland, told MTN News that so far the total raised already exceeds $100,000 and Detective Sunderland says they’re not done counting.

The “301 Strong Benefit” which featured guest keynote speaker Attorney General Tim Fox, Missoula singer and songwriter Shane Clouse and a video from Palmer's wife was attended by nearly 900 guests, which easily surpassed the expected 700.

Trooper Palmer was shot three times on the morning of March 15 and was critically injured. He continues to recover at University of Utah Hospital.