By Christine Byers
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS — The novelty of training to box in a charity event was starting to wear off for University City firefighter Jennifer Stuhlman.
Yes, the event would raise money for families of fallen police officers and firefighters.
But it had been six weeks, and the guilt of leaving dinner time, bed time and bath time for her 2- and 3-year-old sons all to her husband was starting to weigh heavily.
And telling her kids she didn’t have time to watch their favorite movies or tuck them into bed was getting old.
Then, University City Police Sgt. Mike King, a man who looked over her and her fellow firefighters like a father, was killed Oct. 31 while sitting in his cruiser.
Suddenly, the moments she lost with her family to participate in tonight’s 21st annual Guns ‘N Hoses event took on new meaning. They became sacrifices to bring families like King’s some comfort, financially at least.
King is among seven police officers and two firefighters who will be honored at tonight’s event to benefit BackStoppers, which provides money to families of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
“When you hear about all that they do, it got easier to tell myself to go train,” Stuhlman said. “It really helps make coming in here and missing movies with my kids to get punched in the head a little easier.”
The group this year saw the largest influx of victims added to its list of families to care for. And that means Guns ‘N Hoses, which pits firefighters against police officers in the boxing ring, becomes more critical.
“The amount of deaths we’ve had in the last year have been in the news so much, I think it has raised the attention of our citizens,” said executive director Ron Battelle.
Last year, Guns ‘N Hoses, which is BackStoppers’ largest fundraiser, netted a record $330,000.
BackStoppers started in 1959, when news spread of how the families of firefighters and police officers struggled financially after their loved ones were killed in the line of duty.
“A group of prominent businessmen felt there was a need to provide a recruiting tool for police and fire departments that had trouble getting applicants because people were afraid to leave their families uncared for should something tragic happen,” Battelle said.
In all, the organization lists 113 who have been killed in the line of duty. The group has supported some family members for 45 years, including their nursing care.
Currently, 43 families and 41 children are receiving benefits, which include educational expenses, mortgage payments on about 20 widows’ homes, and medical and dental insurance for about 80 people.
“In a sense, as far as the finances go, they still have their ‘husband,’” Stuhlman said. “They really do let you become numb, and that’s what you need to do.”
About five years ago, the group said it spent about $200,000 annually. It’s now close to $1 million.
“My husband and I contributed to the organization every year,” said Sue King, Mike King’s widow. “Of course, I never thought I would be the one needing the support.”
Tears come to Stuhlman’s eyes when she thinks of attending the funerals of Mike King and murdered Maplewood firefighter Ryan Hummert. And she knows it could one day be her or her husband, who is a firefighter for Pattonville, that may need the organization.
She quickly wiped away the tears Monday as she prepared for her last training session. She wondered what King would have thought of her boxing.
“He probably would have shook his head,” she said.
That’s because he was protective of firefighters. He took his role as the officer in charge of securing scenes for firefighters to heart, she said.
“Our safety was his responsibility,” she said. “And he took it to the point where I could say, ‘Dad, you can back up now, we’re OK.’”
Stuhlman’s own father called to check on her during her last training session.
“I’m his only son,” she joked, adding that she has two sisters.
She took off her wedding ring and looped it around a watch band in her purse before wrapping her hands in the pink hand-wraps her husband bought her for her 29th birthday.
She said he’s been supportive of her training - except the time she came home and learned her son used one of the boxing combinations she taught him on her husband’s jaw.
She smiled and waved at her opponent, an undercover St. Louis County police officer, as she walked into the gym at the St. Louis County Fire Academy. The opponent, who was at the gym practicing as well, smiled back.
“We’ve sparred before,” Stuhlman said and gulped. “It’s going to be a good fight.”
Stuhlman then jumped into the ring. The sound of her gloves slamming against her trainer’s mitts echoed in the gym.
“Excellent,” he told her. “Thank you,” she told him when the session ended. “See you Wednesday. I’ll be the one puking.”
The thought of helping King’s widow, Sue, helps calm Stuhlman’s nerves, even though the two have never met.
Still, Sue King said she is honored that Stuhlman will be fighting in her husband’s memory.
“My whole family will be there,” she said. “Rooting for her.”
Copyright 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc.
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