Shake the Bucket headlining Dixie National fundraiser for deputy's house
The drive to build a home for Deputy Brad Sullivan got a boost from Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson with a ‘Back the Blue’ after party fundraiser on the last night of the Dixie National Rodeo this weekend.
The event is Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Mississippi Trade Mart downtown featuring the band Shake the Bucket. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go toward to the fundraiser.
Gipson announced this week he is dedicating the fundraiser to the efforts led by Sheriff Randy Tucker and deputies to build the home Sullivan who was seriously wounded in a 2019 shootout with a suspect.
A Home for Brad is the product of Madison County Sheriff’s Department Deputies Lt. Joey Butler and Dwayne Moak as well as Tucker.
The goal is to build a home that will accommodate Sullivan’s needs so that he can live as independently as possible.
“We invite everyone to come and support a good cause,” Gipson said. “They are getting progressively closer to being done.”
He said that many in his office were touched by Sullivan’s story and asked how they could help.
Sullivan was on hand as well in front of his future home on Highway 22 in Flora.
The property is designed to help Sullivan live by himself and take care of his children. Features include a massive garage with plenty of room for him to enter and exit his vehicle, widened doorways and other features.
“This house will help me get around a lot better,” Sullivan said. “I am so grateful to the Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Association.”
The house has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Some estimates have him ready as early fall, though Sullivan said that depends on the donations A Home for Brad receives.
“We ask that people reach in their hearts and minds, and if they feel so inclined to make a donation, we would really appreciate that help,” Tucker said. “We never know, it could be us, and right now, it’s Brad, and we’re here for him.”
Tucker noted that the project is “well underway” after they began in the middle of last year.
The Home Builders Association of Jackson will be coordinating the construction of the home through Kirkland Development, Charter Homes, HouseWorks and other HBAJ entities.
Sullivan said that while he is thankful to be the organization's first beneficiary, he praised the organization for looking to the future to continue to help Madison County Deputies who are injured on the job.
“This is not just for me,” Sullivan said. “This is something that will help other officers. Money will always be in that account to hurt any officers who are injured.”
For updates and ways to donate or volunteer visit ahomeforbrad.org.