Fundraiser for Ranger Johnson's medical expenses Saturday
"Tommy is a dedicated lawman, a hometown boy, a good man and a good dad. - Mike Ryan
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

TOMMY JOHNSON SR.

Mike Ryan hopes people will show up in droves - wallets and checkbooks in hand - at a benefit Saturday to help with medical expenses for a well-respected local lawman.

Friends and associates of Tommy Johnson Sr. are holding a dinner, dance and auction to help the familyof the Special Ranger who for years has hunted cattle rustlers and thieves.

He became a ranger after retiring from his career as a game warden with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

"Tommy was in a horse accident - it threw him off and broke his neck," Ryan said.

Johnson, who has been a Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association ranger since January of 2005, was severely injured Nov. 30 during a practice roping session near Victoria, when his horse spooked and threw him.

He is currently in a rehabilitation center in Sugar Land.

"We're having the benefit to help the family with medical expenses," Ryan said. "His recovery is going to be a long, drawn-out affair."

Saturday's events will be held at Muldoon's Saloon and Steakhouse at 110 W. Railroad, starting at 4 p.m. A stew supper will be served starting at 5 p.m., and a live auction begins at 6 p.m.

"If somebody has an item they want to put in the live auction or just wants to donate to help the family, we welcome that," Ryan said. "Other than that, we need a lot of people to come out and participate Saturday."

A raffle will also be held during the evening, which includes a dance starting around 9 p.m., Ryan said. Anyone who would like to help work the event should e-mail dana.sternadel@gmail. com, or simply show up and volunteer starting at 10 a.m.

Accounts to help the family with medical expenses have been set up for at Commercial State Bank and Prosperity Bank, both in El Campo.

Raffle tickets are available at the Wharton County Sheriff's Office, Ryan Services at 543-3703, R&R Printing, R&M Firearms, D-A-M Services or at the Farmers Coop of El Campo, Superior Motor Parts.

"Tommy is a dedicated lawman, a hometown boy, a good man and a good dad," Ryan said.

"The more people we can get to participate Saturday, the better it's going to be."