Howell family receives $15,000 from Bikes to Badges, Tour De Force

Local law enforcement presented the Howell family with a donation of nearly $15,000 Tuesday morning in honor of fallen Carson City Deputy Carl Howell.

Howell was killed in the line of duty August 18, while responding to a domestic disturbance call.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Reno Police Department officers joined Carson City Sheriff’s Office deputies and staff in the Ormsby Room at the Sheriff’s Office with Howell’s parents and wife. Employees from 104.1 KRQZ, a Reno radio station, had raised nearly $7,400 from their Bikes and Badges charity event Oct. 10 to give to the family. Kara Brown, the general manager from 104.1, and Willobee Carlan, one of the DJs, spoke at the event and presented the money to Kevin Howell, Carl’s father, from their fundraiser.

“We wish this fundraiser was for a better reason, but the fact that we came together for this family says a lot,” Carlan said. “There are so many people who came together for Deputy Carl Howell.”

Carlan said there were nearly 250 people who participated in the Bikes for Badges, a motorcycle ride from Carson City to the Reno Harley-Davidson.

“I know that it has been a difficult year for the Carson City Sheriff’s Office so when I heard about this event, I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough,” said Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen.

The family also was presented a second check from an East Coast organization, Tour De Force, an organization who raises funds for families of officers killed in the line of duty. The Tour is a multi-day ride, composed of law enforcement and emergency personnel, that starts in New York City and ends in Boston. The 2015 Tour raised $7,500 for the Howell family.

“It is overwhelming the support that we have gotten and it is coming from all over the country,” said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.

Kevin Howell said the support the family has received from across the country has been unbelievable.

“We can’t thank everyone enough,” Kevin said. ”The support has been phenomenal. We have received support from all across the country, we have gotten letters from all major law enforcement agencies from across the country. We can’t even fathom the amount of support and we appreciate every bit of it. Thank you all.”