Brighten Your Day

Struggling Single Mom Donates Lottery Winnings To Officer Shot In The Line Of Duty

July 21, 2020

A struggling single mother in Kansas City donated her $100 lottery winnings to an officer shot in the line of duty.

The Kansas City Police Department has returned the favor and raised more than $14,000 for the woman and her family.

Shetara Sims (left)

With only $7 to her name and bills past due, Shetara Sims, a single mother who lost her job a month ago due to the pandemic, found a $1 bill in a grocery store parking lot and bought a scratch-off ticket, winning $100.

Sims' 12-year-old daughter, Rakiya, suggested they donate the money to a Kansas City police officer who was shot in the line of duty on July 2. The officer has remained in intensive care.

"She won $100, and I said we should donate it to the police officer that got shot for his family to go eat and see him," Rakiya said.

Despite her financial struggles, Sims agreed.

Shetara's daughter Rakiya Edmonson, 12

Sims' daughter, Rakiya's older sister, was murdered in Kansas City in 2012.

"The detectives were really there for us. They were there for us more than anyone I can imagine. They did things they didn't have to do. They came to see my kids. They did a lot. They were fathers, therapists. They were everything," Sims said. "I never seen the empathy that they had from strangers. They just gave us hope. They were good for us."

Sims called the department days later and made a $100 donation.

“To hear her call and just express thanks for no reason other than she's thankful, it's really impactful to us, and it's really touching to us,” police Sgt. Jake Becchina said.

When Sims made the donation, she didn't leave her name or number. It took police days to track her down. They created a GoFundMe account for her family.

"We at KCPD shared this wonderful act of humanity on our social media," the department wrote on GoFundMe. "Then hundreds of people said they wanted to help her out. However, the woman had called from an unlisted number and didn't leave a name. It took a while, but we were able to track her down. Her name is Shetara Sims. She is on the left of this photo (along with KCPD social worker Brooke and Officer Earle). She's a struggling single mom. Even when we found her again, she asked, 'Don't the officer and his family need it more?'

Shetara's act of kindness has touched Kansas City, and they wanted to give back. This is your chance to do so!"

So far, it's raised more than $14,000.