Cigar Shop Fundraiser To Benefit Family Of Officer Killed On Duty

COCKEYSVILLE, Md. (WJZ)—He gave his life protecting the citizens of Maryland. Now the family of slain SWAT Officer Jason Schneider needs your help.

Mike Schuh reports on a large fundraising effort to help his family.

Schneider was shot dead while serving a search warrant at a Catonsville home last month.

His wife and two kids are left to carry on.

At his funeral, his department filled the pews to an overflowing 800 inside. Outside, more than 1,000 from all over came in tribute to Officer Schneider, his family and the mission of law enforcement.

Now the unbreakable bond is being strengthened at a cigar store in Cockeysville.

"Really the police department is near and dear to our hearts. A lot of them support us, so anything we can do to support them back," said Finnie Helmuth, co-owner of The Humidour Cigar Shoppe.

On Sunday, 500 people are expected at The Humidour Cigar Shoppe for a fundraiser, where they can smoke, buy a cigar, watch the game, eat and drink.

"This family, the owners of this business, have very generously opened it up to have a fundraiser for Jason's family," said Cole Weston, Fraternal Order Of Police 4. "What he was doing was going out and getting the bad guys, the bad guys that by and large people and business owners don't have to worry about because people like Jason were out doing what he was doing."

Though the fundraiser is being held at a cigar store, they stress you don't have to leave smelling like a cigar.

"It's not all about the cigars," Helmuth said. "It's really about the family. We're going to have tents outside. Most of the food will be outside. If people do smoke and they want to come inside, the whole building is open to everybody."

The Fraternal Order of Police 4 expects to raise more than $10,000.

That event on Sunday is across from Antique Row in Cockeysville and is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.