Last Updated on October 8, 2025 3:54 pm
The Ashe County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual Rooftop Cops event on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers joined together by climbing onto the roof of Bojangles in Jefferson to raise funds and awareness for children in Ashe County who are bravely battling cancer.
The annual event brought together multiple agencies, literally raising them high on the rooftop, to support local children and families in need. Local and State Officers stood atop Bojangles, waving to passersby and engaging with visitors who stopped to donate. Participating agencies included the Ashe County Sheriff's Office, Ashe Memorial Hospital, Jefferson Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and the West Jefferson Police Department.
Sheriff Howell began Rooftop Cops to bring these families a glimmer of hope and support from their community. This year marks our fifth year climbing on the roofs of local fast-food restaurants to raise money for diagnosed children and their families in our community, easing some of the financial burden that can come with these diagnoses. Since its inception, over $60,000 has been raised, including this year.
“The need was there, and we could clearly see it,” said Sheriff Phil Howell. “I decided to bring an idea from years past back to life. My family and I have volunteered with Soccer vs. Cancer, Mike and Dianne Eldreth's annual September event that raises money for a local family in need. After personally walking alongside several families' facing childhood cancer, I wanted to create something that allowed us to raise funds we could place directly into their hands during their most difficult times, while ensuring the money raised stayed with Ashe County families. We've been truly blessed to play even a small part in their journeys.”
For the second year in a row, we held the fundraiser on the roof of Bojangles in Jefferson. We had a great day with the BO crew and all local law enforcement agencies. We had live music from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Doug Davis and Friends from Wilkesboro, and Ashe County's own Glen Sullivan.
Bojangles crew members and some students from Ashe County High made balloon animals and painted faces, creating smiles throughout the dining room.
Bojangles once again went above and beyond, donating 100% of their sales that day to support the event. Thanks to their generosity and the incredible outpouring from our community, we are proud to announce that $15,312.21 was raised through this year's Rooftop Cops fundraiser. We are truly blessed to live in a community that shows such compassion and care for others. This year, we were fortunate not to have a child currently battling cancer in Ashe County who had not already been supported by previous fundraisers. Our focus, therefore, was to build a reserve fund so that if a child in Ashe County is diagnosed in the future, we can offer immediate financial assistance during their time of need. Every dollar donated to Rooftop Cops goes directly to helping local children and their families facing the challenges of childhood cancer.
If you or someone you know has a child who has been diagnosed with cancer, please get in touch with Tasha Francis at the Ashe County Sheriffs Office at 336-846-5995.
We want to extend our sincere thank you to everyone who supported this year's Rooftop Cops event – through donations, encouragement, and participation. A special thank you goes to all the volunteers from our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies who stood on the roof and helped make the day a success.
We also want to recognize Badges of Ashe for their incredible help in organizing, collecting funds, and keeping everything running smoothly. And, of course, a tremendous thank you to Bojangles for making this event possible each year-allowing us to take to the rooftop and provide donation boxes throughout the month. To the Bojangles staff, your enthusiasm and hospitality never go unnoticed.
We are truly blessed to live and serve in such a generous and caring community. Thank you, Ashe County!
Sincerely,
Sheriff Phil Howell
