Lenovo turned into an ice rink Tuesday night, but not for a Hurricanes game.
Instead, the puck dropped for “Battle of the Badges,” a clash between the Raleigh Police Department and the Raleigh Firefighter Department.
This was not just a hockey game, it was a showcase of support for Raleigh Police Officer Max Gillick.
In January, a gunman shot Gillick while he was responding to an armed break-in at a home on Democracy Street. A man inside the home was killed during the break-in and the suspect was killed in a shootout with police.
Gillick was severely injured during the shooting and spent weeks in the hospital. Since then, the officer has been recovering.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, 3,107 people showed up at the game and raised $12,533 for Gillick. Since the shooting $70,364 has been raised for Gillick during his recovery.
“It’s pretty overwhelming,” Mark Gillick said. “With the city of Raleigh rallying around our family from the second it happened, tonight it is just unbelievable.”
Mark Gillick revealed his son has lost weight, adding he’s doing better but still faces obstacles in his recovery.
As he strives to get better, spectators at tonight’s game wanted Gillick to know he has support.
