ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Wentzville fire captain, Tommy Shine, who was not expected to survive complications from heart surgery, continues to show incredible signs of progress.

On Friday, the St. Louis Hero Network provided financial support for Shine’s family during their annual Bourbon for Badges fundraiser at Tapawingo Golf Club in south St. Louis County. 

“Well, that’s going to make me emotional,” Brittany said, expressing her gratitude for the support.

The charity supports first responders and military families and promotes their businesses. 

“It’s just been wonderful for the hero community that we have here in St. Louis,” said Ed Fogelbach, president of the St. Louis Hero Network.

Shine was recently moved to a rehabilitation facility.  

His wife reported that he has been fitted for prosthetics and is experiencing some vision and memory problems; however, he continues to baffle those who thought he would never breathe again. 

“He’s working hard, he’s motivated, his spirits are so much better,” Brittany said.

Shine is known for his heroic act in 2015 when he rescued a boy trapped in a frozen lake, a miracle that inspired the movie “Breakthrough.” 

This year, Shine needed a miracle of his own when complications from heart surgery led doctors to believe he would not survive.

“Day by day, that’s how we’re taking it,” Brittany said. 

Although it is too soon to determine exactly what Shine’s future will look like, Brittany remains hopeful.

“He’s no longer on a feeding tube; he’s on vitamins and minerals for medication, but no more pain pills—no more anything. So, he really is the strongest human alive,” she said.

Fogelbach noted how Shine’s service is a perfect example of what the Hero Network has done in the past six years.

“It’s been a long few months, so an event like tonight kind of takes your mind off all the hard stuff and lets you appreciate what all of this is for,” Brittany said.

Friday night’s event also successfully raised money for four additional charities, further demonstrating the community’s support for those in need.