Back the Badges BBQ is a 501(c)(3) that throws BBQ events to feed on shift first responders in communities we are requested.
We have the ability when funds are available to assist first responders after a catastrophic injury or line of duty death
03/01/2026
Last night our city was attacked, and why the ideology is being investigated. Let us be clear, evil arrived in Austin yet again. But evil was met by the incredible men and women of Austin Police Department Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Austin Fire Department. We could not be more proud to support these organizations as they continue to show the bravery as they all rushed into the fire stop the threat and then saves lives. Next time you debate budgets, remember the men and women and the countless lives that went home today because of their swift and incredible action.
To my brothers and sisters, we swell with pride and we waved the flags a little higher today. Can’t wait to support you at our event in April and celebrate you yet again. Stay strong keep your heads high and take the long overdue praise for what you do on a daily basis.
Three people have died, and at least 14 were injured in a shooting on West Sixth Street overnight Saturday into Sunday, according to Austin-Travis County EMS
04/11/2025
And we are getting started on our 10th anniversary event for . Excited to see our first responders and thankful to UTPD and the campus for hosting us this year.
01/19/2025
Deputy Vargas is the other incredible law enforcement officer that the state of Tx lost this week. While serving a warrant with the violent offender task force Deputy Vargas and his K-9 partner were. Deputy Vargas paid the ultimate price serving and protecting the communities he loved. Rest easy sir, god speed and prayers
To those that know and loved you. Continued prayers for the recovery of his K-9 officer/partner.
Public services to pay respects to Deputy Jesus “Jesse” Vargas are scheduled for January 19 and 20.
01/19/2025
This past week has been heartbreaking for our states first responder community. This type of dedication to protect the public is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Where is the national news coverage of this self act. Rest easy Sgt. Butler god speed and prayers for those that know and love you.
On Wednesday, officers responded to a report of a woman attempting to cash a fraudulent check at a bank in College Station, Texas. The woman fled the scene in a Jeep with officers in pursuit, and at some point began heading southbound in the northbound lanes of State Highway 6. Navasota Police Sergeant Mark Butler heard that call, and was already traveling northbound on SH 6 in a marked Navasota police vehicle. According to witnesses on that highway, the Sergeant positioned his patrol SUV into the direct path of the wrong-way driver and collided head on with her vehicle. In his final act of selfless service, Mark without a doubt prevented untold innocent citizens from imminent danger at the hands of the reckless driver. The suspect was killed at the scene. Sgt. Butler was rushed to the hospital but was unable to be saved.
Sergeant Mark Butler had been with the Navasota Police Department since June of 2021, and was just recently promoted in October. He previously served his country in the U.S Army for over a decade. Mark was a Military Police soldier in the West Virginia National Guard before commissioning as an Intelligence Officer, where he attained the rank of Captain.
Sergeant Butler was remembered as the very definition of a leader. Mark joined the department immediately following his military service and started in working in patrol, where he served ever since. He actually began drawing in more applicants to Navasota PD because of his new leadership roles as a Sergeant. Sgt. Butler was 34-years old, and leaves behind a loving wife and two young children.
10/07/2024
Back the Badges BBQ is asking for prayers for our very own Kelly Anne Brandenburg as she prepares for the dirty side of hurricane Milton as well as all in its path. Kelly flew home yesterday from our event this weekend for North Little Rock Police Department to immediately start preparing.
We love ya girl, stay safe!
07/11/2024
Our hearts and prayers are with this warriors family both blood, blue and first responder community. RIP sir, Godspeed
The incident began just after 10 p.m. Wednesday when Harris County deputies responded to an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars pizza shop, Harris County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Mike Lee said at a news conference. "What happened is senseless," Lee said early Thursday. "He was upset because....
04/29/2024
Our hearts are heavy. This past week has been a costly one for law enforcement. It started with the loss of a seasoned Harris County Sheriff's Deputy. Then the shooting of 3 officers in Louisiana and now the death of 3 officers and shooting of several more in North Carolina. Please pray for all these incredible heroes, their loved ones and their agencies.
04/13/2024
So freaking cool to have Frank Ray stop by today to talk to us about his nonprofit that supports mental health for first responders!!!!!! As well as say hello to us and some of our incredible first responder community. Frank Ray we are here until midnight if you get hungry.
04/12/2024
Big thank you to our friends at COTA for both sponsoring and providing bad—- raffle prizes. COTA is a massive supporter of the first responder community in Central TX and is an overall incredible organization. Circuit of the Americas
04/11/2024
Thank you Mama Betty’s Cedar Park TX for your sponsorship as well as raffle prizes for our area first responders. We love our partnership and their incredible food. First responders go check them out and thank Jason and his family for the support!!!!!
04/04/2024
Back the Back the Badges BBQ nation. Our incredible partner Taya Kyle - American Wife is releasing a children’s book that be coming out soon. Be on the lookout as we know everything from her is gold!!!!
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The Back the Badges BBQ was the brain child of Eric Seymour who is a former Paramedic and Law Enforcement Officer himself. After moving into the business world Eric wanted to find a way to pay it forward to a community that works so hard to keep us safe. Eric had the idea of a BBQ, but not the ordinary hamburger and hot dog setup, he wanted an all out Texas BBQ. When Eric went to his wife Sara about the event she was super excited about the idea and the lesson of teaching their son to pay it forward and showing respect to those who are willing to give all. Between Sara and Eric’s office manager Sasha (the heavy lifter) they took the idea and made it what it has become today.
We have 4 goals at Back the Badges BBQ: One, show appreciation to those who put all on the line everyday for our communities. Two, with our community day event we want to start to bridge the gap between those within the community and those protecting the community. Three, as funds become available we are able to support First Responders in various ways following a catastrophic injury or line of duty death. Last we are starting to raise funds in an attempt to place service animals with first responders suffering from PTSD.
This year with the help of our corporate sponsors, our annual Back the Badges event was bigger and better than ever. Handing out over 42 door prizes that were raffled off and handing a Yeti Rambler (thank you Yeti for being SO AMAZING) to every responder that attended. This to go along with our food service of breakfast/lunch/dinner for nearly 500 APD/AFD/ATCEMS/TCSO/Dispatch members. The event planing for 2019 is already starting and we are looking forward to making this one the best yet.
We would like to thank two groups, first our volunteers made up of family and friends, several of which stay up the whole 48hours with Eric cooking (James Cannon/Aaron Keiser/Jim Young/Jimmy Johnson). Without your help we could not pull this off.
Second we would like to thank those that help sponsor this event as it has grown into a beast. Without you we could no longer host an event of this magnitude. This include a big thank you to the groups that donated door prizes, we hope to make that an annual part of our event!
Sponsors: Austin POS, Koronis Medical Billing, The Dogwood, Casa Garcia, Maggie Mae’s, Baby A’s, Pour House, Laneaxis, Shooters Billiards, Robert’s Printing, Black Riffle Coffee, Touch Dynamic.
Gift Sponsors: YETI, The Chive, Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (Taya Kyle you rock for the signed books), Austin Spurs, Justin Phillips Realty Austin, Dr. Mark Escott, Kendra Scott, Sleep Number
If you would like to help sponsor the event or would like additional information concerning the BBQ please feel free to contact us! [email protected] or [email protected].
