Retired Raleigh police officer sends aid to his community in western NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A retired Raleigh police officer is driving supplies to his community in Mitchell County after fleeing the flooding from Helene.

Friday morning, Tim Shermer will take water, food, clothes, and toys 200 miles west to his neighborhood. He told CBS 17 that emergency services aren’t reaching his home, and he wants to use his experience as a first responder to help.

Shermer said this is a group effort with other retired officers looking for ways to help communities out west.

“A retired police detective lives down the street here from where we were all law enforcement together,” Shermer said. “He’s going with me tomorrow. Next week, retired deputy chief Rawlings going is going to go with me. He’s up there today, he took a generator to his niece who’s in in Jefferson with him.”

Shermer said he plans to get a more detailed list Friday, then return next week if conditions permit. He also said he plans on moving back home as soon as it is livable again.

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