Post from Norma (via Tina)

Did you see this? Tina was kind enough to forward to me... Bill
McClellan wrote another article today about Jeff. Awesome

Jeff Kowalski was a St. Louis police officer who was shot in the
stomach in 1987 while chasing two robbers. He had serious injuries to his pancreas, his liver and his stomach.

He eventually returned to duty but never regained his health. He suffered from periodic bouts of pancreatitis and had circulation problems. He was given a 100 percent service-connected disability when he retired in 2000.

He and his wife and their three children moved to Texas. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 cancer. He returned to St. Louis for treatment. Doctors here said the cancer appeared to have originated in his pancreas. Because of the internal injuries from the shooting, he had been unable to afford
life insurance.

If the cancer were to prove fatal, would the St. Louis BackStoppers be able to help? That organization provides support for families of police officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

An oncologist said it was impossible to say with certainty that the gunshot had caused the cancer, but he could say that Kowalski had no other risk factors,just the history of pancreatitis that seemed to stem from the gunshot.

Ron Battelle, executive director of the BackStoppers, said the board would consider the case if the cancer were to prove fatal but would have to consider its guidelines. Meanwhile, friends organized a fundraiser at the St. Louis Police Association headquarters. They raised $30,467 to help defray expenses.

Last week, the board of the BackStoppers approved a one-time payment of $50,000 to Kowalski under its Catastrophic Injury Program. "The board was happy and honored to help the Kowalski family," Battelle said.

Battelle told Kowalski that St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa was instrumental in getting the board's approval. By the way, that award does not preclude more help if the cancer proves fatal.

Kowalski began chemotherapy treatments last week. I visited at his sister's home Wednesday. He seemed a little weak, but cheerful. "So far, so good," he said.