SUGAR LAND, Texas — Friends of Nassau Bay Police Sergeant Kaila Sullivan are raising money to help the fallen officer's family after Sullivan was killed during a traffic stop in December 2019.
Sgt. Sullivan was also the national president of the Sisters Eternal Women's Motorcycle Club, and that group is trying to help Sgt. Sullivan's wife and son.
Sullivan was a veteran of the Nassau Bay Police Department for nearly 16 years.
The public benefit is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Clear Lake Park at the C.D. Landolt Pavilion, 5002 E. NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586. The entry fee is $12 per person. Children under 12 get in free. The proceeds go to Sgt. Sullivan's wife, Tracey, and son, Kaden.
They need volunteers for the event. Anyone interested should contact Deb Teplitz at (847) 276-7305.
DeDe Shelton, who is the president of the Harris County chapter of Sisters Eternal Motorcycle Club, of which Sullivan was the national president, said Sullivan was a talented musician, with an incredible sense of humor.
"Kaila was one of my best friends," Shelton said.
She said they would spend free time talking on the phone about ways to grow the club.
"She and I had a real vision together, and it was nice to share that collaboration together, and I miss that a lot," Shelton said.
Shelton said Sullivan was passionate about law enforcement and learning about the people she interacted with, even those she arrested, to understand why they committed those crimes, to help others in the future.
She said Sullivan understood the risks that came with her job.
”It was through her bravery, unfortunately, that she was brave enough to confront an individual like that, but I still wish she was here," Shelton said.
Sullivan's wife and son have not been ready to speak publicly but offered a written statement thanking the community.
“Thank you for the outpouring of support and kindness. Thanks to everyone who is donating and volunteering for the Benefit. Thanks to people in the community and all over the country who have reached out with expressions of sympathy and gifts of remembrance. They feel surrounded by love and kindness during this time of unbelievable loss," they wrote.
"When you met her, you felt like you knew her your entire life because she was so open," Shelton said.
Shelton hopes people will volunteer for the event on Jan. 18 to help Sullivan's family.
"Kaila always knew with the risk of her job, if anything did happen, that we would watch out for Tracey and Kaden," Shelton said. "It means we’re doing what we promised."
Opportunities at the fundraiser include: games, food ($10 brisket plates), cake walk, silent/live auctions, vendors, live music (Shovelhead Runway band, Elizabeth Wills, singer-songwriter acoustic), and a motorcycle fun run ($25 rider/$15 passenger includes entry, shirt and food plate): 9 a.m. first bike out; 10 a.m. last bike out, 12 p.m. last bike in.
Volunteer opportunities are still available, and auction donation drop locations are listed on the flyer found on the Sisters Eternal WMC Facebook page.
For anyone wishing to donate directly to Sgt. Sullivan’s wife and son, please visit the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Benevolence Association website. Tax-free donations: Use the “Donate Here to honor Kaila Sullivan” option in the upper right hand corner of the site.
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