Sales of T-shirts to aid children of slain officer

Sunday, June 12, 2011

photo In honor of slain Chattanooga police Sgt. Tim Chapin, Jill McIntyre designed and printed this T-shirt. Money from the sales go to the college fund established for Chapin's two children. Contributed photo

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Jill McIntyre didn't have thousands of dollars to donate to the college fund for the children of slain Chattanooga police Sgt. Tim Chapin.

So she decided to think a bit smaller - T-shirts.

With help from others, she designed and printed a T-shirt that says "In Honor and Remembrance of Sgt. Tim Chapin" and includes the image of a red, white and blue ribbon with a gold star in the center.

"I figured there are a lot of people like me who want to help, but can't afford to give thousands," said McIntyre, who lives in Soddy-Daisy. "This is a way everyone can help."

Money from the sale of the T-shirts, now on sale at Abba's House bookstore in Hixson, will go to the Chapin children's college fund, McIntyre said. She's asking for a donation of $20 for a T-shirt - or more, if you want.

"The plus is you can proudly wear your shirt to honor Tim and other police officers that are still out there putting themselves in harm's way to protect us," McIntyre said.

Chapin, 51, was killed April 2 during a botched robbery attempt at the U.S. Money Shops pawnshop on Brainerd Road. Jesse Mathews, 25, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death.

Chapin and his family were members of Abba's House, and the church jumped at the chance to help.

"Anything we can do for Tim and his family, we want to do," said bookstore manager Jan Wilson.

McIntyre had 250 T-shirts made. About 50 have sold, Wilson said.

The bookstore also is selling a $1 decal honoring Chapin that was created by McIntyre's husband, Michael.

McIntyre said she met Chapin about 20 years ago when she was working at a Sports Barn where he was a member.

Chapin left behind his wife, Kelle, and two children, Allison, 15, and Nicholas, 13. McIntyre said she handed the first three T-shirts directly to Chapin's family, whom she'd never met.

McIntyre lives with her husband and daughters Bryce, 11, and Brie, 5. She said the fact that Chapin's family must go on without him touched her personally.

"I also had a father that died at age 51, so I know what it was like as a teenager to be without a father," said McIntyre.