DUBLIN, Ga. — Laurens County Sheriff Larry Dean said Chris Bracewell was the kind of guy who was there for everybody.
In October, Bracewell was injured in an off-duty car accident near Valdosta.
"Started his career in Laurens County Sheriff's Department in 1987. He's been here 36 years, and he's just loved by this community," Dean said.
Very quickly after Bracewell's accident, he said support started pouring in.
"I've never seen a community reach out for this many people," Sheriff Dean said.
On Friday, kids across the Laurens County School District paid a dollar to wear their hats on campus. Principal of East Laurens Primary School Kelly Dean said they all wanted to support Bracewell, who was a Student Resource Officer at their campuses.
"He's very involved in our C.H.A.M.P.S. program, so we see him in the hallways. He comes and checks on the kids and anytime he's here he always tries to make a relationship with the kids, and check in how we're doing, staff and students," Principal Dean said.
She said her staff let the students know when Bracewell was in the accident, and many miss his presence.
"The kids started asking, when will he be back and we haven't seen him in a while and I think that they were excited today that they could help in just a small way," Principal Dean said.
Bracewell didn't just help out in the schools, Sheriff Dean said.
"The last couple weeks, I didn't realize how many hats that he wore over at this Sheriff's Department," Sheriff Dean said.
He said Bracewell did a little bit of everything.
He helped with parades, worked security at the ball games, drove buses and did inventory at the station. The funds students raised by wearing their hats on Friday are going towards the man who wore many hats in the department.
"I'm really proud of our students here. I'm proud of Laurens County for reaching out to help someone that's always eager to help us. And it teaches kids a way that they can give back and support others," Principal Dean said.
Sheriff Dean said Bracewell is on his way to recovery.
"He's still critical, but Cpt. Bracewell's a fighter," he said.
In addition to the hat fundraiser, there's a GoFundMe to support Bracewell's recovery.
"We look forward to seeing him back in our hallways soon, and we'll continue to pray and think about him," Principal Dean said.
Sheriff Dean said he's hopeful that Bracewell can be moved closer to home next week, as he continues recovering.