PERRYSBURG, OH — In the wake of a tragedy that has reverberated through the heart of Wood County and the surrounding Northwest Ohio region, a local business leader and law enforcement officer is turning a place of gathering into a beacon of support. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Perrysburg has announced a comprehensive, three-day community fundraiser dedicated to the family of Sergeant Jacob Roesler of the Clay Township Police Department. Sgt. Roesler, a dedicated public servant, lost his life earlier this month in a tragic vehicle accident while responding to an emergency call in the line of duty.
The event, scheduled to run from Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1, 2026, represents a significant effort by the local community to provide financial and emotional relief to a family grappling with an unthinkable loss. Held at the Dickey’s location at 10413 Fremont Pike, the fundraiser seeks to transform the traditional American barbecue experience into a platform for civic solidarity.
Main Facts: A Community United by Service and Sacrifice
The fundraiser is more than a corporate initiative; it is a personal mission for the restaurant’s owner-operator, Steve Mowery. Mowery’s background provides a unique perspective on the tragedy, as he serves the community in dual roles: as a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and a current local Deputy Sheriff. His deep-rooted connection to both the military and law enforcement sectors has positioned the Perrysburg Dickey’s as a natural hub for first responder support.
Under Mowery’s leadership, the restaurant will donate a portion of its proceeds over the three-day period directly to the Roesler family. The event will operate during standard business hours, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day, allowing residents from across the region to participate. The goal is to provide a "no-hassle" way for the public to contribute, simply by purchasing the restaurant’s signature "Legit. Texas. Barbecue."
Sgt. Jacob Roesler’s death has highlighted the inherent risks faced by those in the "Thin Blue Line." Roesler was killed when his patrol vehicle was involved in a crash while he was actively responding to a call for service—a stark reminder that for law enforcement officers, the danger is present not just at the scene of a crime, but in every moment they spend behind the wheel of a cruiser.
Chronology of Events: From Tragedy to Action
The timeline of the current initiative began earlier this month with the sudden and shocking news of Sgt. Roesler’s passing. The Clay Township Police Department, a tight-knit agency, was plunged into mourning as details of the fatal crash emerged. As is often the case in small-town Ohio, the news spread rapidly, prompting an immediate outpouring of grief from residents who had interacted with the Sergeant during his years of service.
Recognizing the immediate financial burden that often follows the loss of a primary breadwinner—especially one in public service—Steve Mowery and the team at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit began coordinating a response within days of the incident. By mid-October, the logistics for a multi-day fundraiser were finalized.
The choice of dates—October 30 through November 1—was intentional, spanning a full weekend to maximize foot traffic and community engagement. By aligning the fundraiser with the end of the month, organizers hope to capture the attention of families looking for weekend meals while providing a meaningful way to honor a fallen hero during the autumn season.
Supporting Data: The Reality of Line-of-Duty Deaths and the Power of Local Support
While the loss of Sgt. Roesler is a local tragedy, it reflects a sobering national trend. According to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), traffic-related incidents, including crashes and "struck-by" events, consistently rank as one of the leading causes of officer fatalities in the United States.
In Ohio, the law enforcement community is particularly sensitive to these losses. Support systems like the one being spearheaded by Dickey’s are critical because, while state and federal benefits exist for the families of fallen officers, these funds can often take months or even years to be fully processed. Local fundraisers provide the immediate liquidity needed for funeral expenses, mortgage payments, and the ongoing needs of surviving spouses and children.
Furthermore, the Dickey’s Barbecue Pit brand itself carries a history of supporting veterans and first responders. Founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey, a World War I veteran, the franchise has spent 85 years cultivating a corporate culture that prioritizes service. The Perrysburg location’s decision to host this event is an extension of that "No B.S. (Bad Stuff)" philosophy, applying it to community crisis management.
Official Responses: "Beyond the Badge"
The sentiment behind the fundraiser was best captured by Steve Mowery, whose dual identity as a business owner and a Deputy Sheriff lends a profound weight to his words.
“Being in law enforcement and wearing the badge, the people you serve alongside become more than coworkers. It is a brotherhood and sisterhood that goes beyond the badge,” Mowery stated. “You look out for each other, you show up for each other, and when tragedy strikes, you feel it together.”
Mowery emphasized that while no amount of money can replace a lost loved one, the act of showing up is a vital part of the healing process for the family and the community alike.
“The loss of Sgt. Jacob Roesler is heartbreaking. There are no words that can make the loss easier, and nothing we do will ever fill the space he leaves behind. But we can show his family that they don’t have to face the days ahead alone. That’s what this is about. Coming together, beyond the badge, and doing what we can for a family that is going through the unthinkable. We’re proud to use barbecue to help bring people together in Jacob’s honor. And more than anything, we want his family to know that we will never forget him and we are here to support them.”
The Clay Township Police Department has also expressed its gratitude for the community’s support, noting that the solidarity shown by local businesses like Dickey’s helps the department maintain its morale during a period of intense mourning.
Implications: Strengthening the Social Fabric of Northwest Ohio
The implications of this fundraiser extend far beyond the immediate financial assistance provided to the Roesler family. Such events serve as a critical mechanism for maintaining social cohesion in an era where the relationship between the public and law enforcement can sometimes be strained. By creating a space where civilians and officers can sit down together over a meal to honor a shared loss, the fundraiser reinforces the idea of the police as an integral part of the community, rather than a separate entity.
Moreover, the success of this event may serve as a blueprint for other local franchises and small businesses in the Toledo and Perrysburg metropolitan areas. It demonstrates that corporate social responsibility is most effective when it is localized and personal.
For the Roesler family, the fundraiser represents a "safety net of spirits." Knowing that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of neighbors are willing to contribute to their welfare provides a psychological buffer against the isolation that often accompanies grief.
How to Participate
The community is encouraged to visit the Perrysburg Dickey’s Barbecue Pit at 10413 Fremont Pike during the fundraiser weekend. In addition to dine-in service, guests can support the cause through carry-out and orders placed via the Dickey’s Barbecue Pit app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
For those unable to attend but wishing to contribute, or for large groups interested in catering to support the initiative, the Dickey’s catering hotline (+1-866-227-2328) and website remain available for inquiries.
As Perrysburg prepares for the three-day event, the message remains clear: the sacrifice of Sgt. Jacob Roesler will not be forgotten, and the community he protected will now, in turn, protect his family.
About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the world’s largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by World War I Veteran, Travis Dickey. For the past 85 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ alongside their iconic Big Yellow Cup. The Dallas-based, family-founded barbecue franchise serves slow-smoked meats and home-style sides with ‘No B.S. (Bad Stuff)’ included for dine-in, drive-thru, and pick-up.
Media Contact:
Greer Martin
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