Arizona Cardinals raise $31K for family of fallen DPS trooper

PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals raised about $31,000 during a weekend fundraiser in honor of Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper Tyler Edenhofer, who was killed in an on-duty shooting last month.

Mark Dalton, a spokesman with the team, told KTAR News 92.3 FM in an email that the 50/50 raffle held during Saturday’s Red and White practice accounted for the majority of the money raised.

The raffle itself brought in a total of $25,490. Dalton said half of that money went to the winner, but the Cardinals matched the winner’s amount so it stayed at $25,000.

A barbecue that was held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the South lawn on Saturday brought in another $6,000, Dalton added.

The funds raised will be given to the 100 Club of Arizona in support of Edenhofer’s family, as well as in support of the two other troopers who were injured in the shooting, Sean Rodecap and Dalin Dorris.

“It’s great that the team can be a vehicle for the whole community to participate in this fundraiser,” Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said during Saturday’s event.

“This is a great opportunity for us to partner with the 100 Club and to me, it’s part of being a responsible corporate citizen.”

"I hope the family sees it all and knows how much we all care." – Michael Bidwill on today's fundraiser to raise money for the family of fallen @arizona_dps officer Tyler Edenhofer and two other troopers injured. pic.twitter.com/ndWcIbqbpd

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 5, 2018

Edenhofer was shot and killed on July 25 while responding to a call of a man walking alongside the Interstate 10 in Avondale and throwing rocks at cars.

The suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Isaac King, was fighting with multiple responding troopers, including Edenhofer, for about eight minutes.

He then got hold of one of Rodecap’s weapons and allegedly fired two shots.

One of the shots killed Edenhofer, while the other injured Dorris. Rodecap was also injured in the struggle.

Court documents said that King was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting. The court documents did not specify what King was alleged to be under the influence of.

King had a history of mental illness, according to Col. Frank Milstead, having had taken medication for anxiety and depression. He did not have a criminal history.

King was charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder, on July 29.

Hundreds of people gathered in Phoenix last week to pay their respects to Edenhofer during a candlelight vigil at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. He was laid to rest at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria on Friday.

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