BackStoppers of St. Francois County

11/01/2026

We are honored to be the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Local Government Achievement (OLGA) Award by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. This award is given in recognition of the Cardiac Wellness Program.

The OLGA awards honor extraordinary regional cooperation, leadership, and public service achievements across the St. Louis metropolitan area. The BackStoppers, along with 10 other regional honorees, will be officially celebrated at the East-West Gateway Annual Meeting and Awards Program.

Learn more about the Cardiac Wellness Program and why this important to the first responder community at BackStoppers.org/CWP.

10/30/2026

Hey First Responders............. Get your teams together and sign up today.

Proceeds go to The BackStoppers !!!

10/10/2026

When public safety officers make the ultimate sacrifice, our community has an obligation to step up for the loved ones they leave behind.

The BackStoppers provides immediate and ongoing financial assistance to the families of fallen and catastrophically injured police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics across 28 counties in Missouri and Illinois.

Learn more about our mission at BackStoppers.org.

10/01/2026

If you’re traveling from Ste. Genevieve to Farmington and see the highway memorial sign honoring Sergeant Jeffry Kowalski, take a moment to remember the man behind the name.

Today, we remember Sergeant Jeffry Kowalski and honor his service and sacrifice. His memory lives on beyond a sign along the highway—in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

18 years ago, Gone, but never forgotten. 💙

Sergeant Jeffry Kowalski succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained on February 19th, 1987, while chasing a juvenile robbery suspect in the 5000 block of Vernon Avenue.

During the pursuit he was shot once in the abdomen, causing severe internal injuries.

In the spring of 2008 Sergeant Kowalski was diagnosed with cancer in his organs that had been severely wounded by the shooting and subsequent surgeries. On October 1, 2008, He passed away several months later as a result of the complications.

Sergeant Kowalski was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 21 years.

The BackStoppers Inc.

09/30/2026

Today we remember one of our own, Deputy Steven Ziegler, Badge 989.

We honor his service and keep his family, friends, and fellow deputies in our thoughts and prayers. His memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Rest in peace, Steven. You are remembered and missed. 💙

09/28/2026

“The threats first responders face aren’t always the ones making headlines. Heart disease remains one of the greatest risks facing public safety officers. For more than 65 years, BackStoppers has been there for families after tragedy strikes. The Cardiac Wellness Program allows us to take a different approach, helping save lives before a family ever needs us.”- Lt. Col. Lawrence O'Toole, BackStoppers Executive Director

Learn more at BackStoppers.org/CWP

09/26/2026

We were deeply honored to attend A Night with Jackie Smith and celebrate an absolute pillar of our community. From his incredible career as a NFL Hall of Famer to his unwavering dedication to our mission and the first responder community. Jackie's generosity is truly inspiring.

Pictured in this photo: BackStoppers Executive Director, Lt. Col. Lawrence O'Toole, Jackie Smith, Guns 'N Hoses Executive Director, Jesse Finney.

09/21/2026

Recently, members of The BackStoppers of St. Francois County had the privilege of meeting with the dedicated men and women of the Park Hills Fire Department during their monthly meeting.

We enjoyed the opportunity to share the story of The BackStoppers, explain our mission, and talk about the support we provide to the families of first responders when they face tragedy.

We are grateful to the Park Hills Fire Department for welcoming us, taking the time to hear about our organization, and allowing us the opportunity to get to know the men and women who serve their community.

Thank you for your hospitality, your service, and your commitment to keeping our community safe. We truly appreciate the opportunity to spend time with you!

09/19/2026

BackStoppers is a mission set apart. We serve 18 counties in Missouri and 10 counties in Illinois. Within those counties there are approximately 17,000 public safety officers. When tragedy strikes, we stand ready to assist, serve and honor. Our assistance goes well beyond similar organizations, and that is because of the unwavering support from our community.

Thank you for keeping our mission active for 67 years.

Help our cause today at BackStoppers.org/Support.

09/16/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with our two Desloge Fireman who were injured in an auto accident yesterday. We are thankful that they will be ok.

Two Desloge firefighters were injured Tuesday evening when their fire truck was involved in a crash on Highway C near Richardson Road in St. Francois County.