Community bands together to help slain deputy's daughter

People throughout Keokuk County are coming together to help Shelby Stein, the nine year old daughter of slain Deputy Sergeant Eric Stein.  Stein was killed in the line of duty after being shot outside of a rural farm home on April 4th.

Sigourney Tractor & Implement, along with family and friends of Stein, will host a benefit for Shelby, set for 6 p.m. this Friday at the Junction Bar and Grill, Jct. of Hwys, 92 & 21, in Delta.  The $5 plate dinner will be accompanied by live music, fireworks, and a live and silent auction.  Online bidding will be available at www.sigourneytractor.com.

All other information about the benefit, and how to donate, can be found on the benefit flyer.

"We want to make sure we honor Eric in the proper way, and take care of things," said Chad Weber, a close family friend of Stein and his daughter.  "The community really pulls together and helps out no matter what down here."

Weber said the community is slowly moving on after the shooting, but he still thinks about Stein on a daily basis.  The most important thing is to respectfully continue to honor and take care of Sergeant Stein, Weber said.

Friends have also established the Shelby Stein Benefit Committee.  Weber said the goal is to establish a long-term fund for Shelby, and to also create a scholarship fund for the community.

"So Somebody else can hopefully possess his (Stein's) traits and learn how to give back to the community much like he did," Weber said of the scholarship fund.