Saturday Blues Fest to Help Families of Fallen Police Captain, Injured Officer

A group of local firefighters and police officers want to give back to a fallen Uniontown officer and injured Springfield Township officer (also a grad) through this Saturday’s Rubber City Blues Festival and Benefit.

The event features a poker run and several blues bands, including , and takes place at Legends Pub & Grille in Green.

Tom Fickes, president of the Rubber City Warthogs, said the group hosts benefits for fallen and injured comrades and their families. This weekend’s benefits Mark Dodez, a Springfield Township police officer and North Canton resident who was struck by a suspected drunk driver March 31. It also benefits the family of Daniel Stiles, a Uniontown police captain killed Feb. 15 while directing traffic.

“We’re looking for it to be a really great event,” said Fickes, a sheriff’s deputy at the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. “I know Mark is planning on coming. I visited him at the hospital. He said nothing is going to stop him from coming.”

He and the other group members enjoy helping the families, and Fickes said the families always are thankful for the support.

“For the families, I know it helps when the community supports them like that,” he said.

The event begins 10:30 a.m. and the last vehicle out for the poker run is at 1 p.m.

In addition to the Brighter Side Band, the Sean Carney Band, the Juke Hounds, the Mark Andrew Project, the Band and the Alley Gatorz also will perform.

Fickes said it wasn’t difficult getting the community to come together for this event, especially the management at Legends and the bands, who are playing for free. Nan Friel, manager for , rounded up some bands for the event.

“Nan said, ‘we’ll do it for free,’ and said ‘I know five more bands that are willing to do it for free.’”

The Canton Repository has followed Dodez's recovery (he was told by doctors that he might be paralyzed, but now has learned he might walk again). Here are a few links to some of the paper's stories: 

• Officer knows secret of healing 
• Springfield officer may walk again, forgives driver
• Springfield Township officer hit by drunken driver

The Rep also reported on Stiles' death:

• Uniontown chief gives thanks to community
• Photo Gallery - Uniontown Police Capt. Daniel Stiles Funeral