ST. LOUIS – Budweiser Guns ‘N Hoses announced Wednesday that $1 million was raised at the annual event in November for The BackStoppers.

“I am very pleased and proud to present a check for one million dollars to The BackStoppers,” President of Guns ‘N Hoses David Stokes said. “Supporting the police, the firefighters, the EMTs. It is a noble cause, and it really is at the heart of what we do.”

November’s sold-out annual boxing event marked the fourth year in a row to raise $1 million for the organization.

“The BackStoppers is an insurance policy that we wish we didn’t need. But every year, they’re required to help out families that have lost loved ones in the line of duty,” Jim Wirz said.

Larry O’Toole is the new Executive Director of The BackStoppers, which provides financial assistance for 95 families and 70 dependent children–it’s a list that keeps growing each year.

“Last year, 2024, Afton fire captain James Cova died in the line of duty. Just a short time in September, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer David Lee was killed in the line of duty. Not even a week after that, St. Louis City Sheriff Deputy Dennis Boyd died in the line of duty. In October, St. Charles County Paramedic Michael Clarke,” O’Toole said.

FOX 2 is the media sponsor of the annual event. The event this year will be held Nov. 26.