A pulled-pork fundraiser lunch for injured Arkansas State Police Cpl. Clayton McWilliams will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Albemarle’s South Plant near Magnolia. Albemarle’s cooking team as well as Farmers Bank & Trust will host the fundraiser for the Columbia County native to help with expenses.
The pickup event will take place at Albemarle’s South Plant security area. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from Albemarle employees Meagan Jean at 870-310-5863 or Kimberley Jones at 870-235-6764, or at the Farmers Bank & Trust main branch at 200 E. Main. Lunches will include a pulled pork sandwich, chips, coleslaw, and dessert. Local deliveries are available for orders of five plates or more, according to the event listing.
McWilliams was seriously injured Jan. 3 in Little River County as he was responding to a nearby logging truck accident when his vehicle lost control in rainy conditions and collided with a tree along Hwy. 71. He was reported to have had injures to the tibia, fibula, femur, and pelvis as well as brain swelling. He is currently recovering at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock.
According to a Tuesday social media update from the Troop G officer’s spouse, McWilliams was recently taken off ventilation and showed lung improvement, but he now had a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) blood clot in his leg.
“This is a concern,” she said, “although it is a small clot.”
She also stated well-wishes and prayers have come in from 15 countries and 47 states.
The accident involving the 32-year-old Columbia County native and graduate of Magnolia High School and Southern Arkansas University has gained much attention since the incident 14 days ago. Multiple fundraisers near the family’s Arden Community residence near Ashdown have been held and a “love fund” was set up by the Arkansas State Police Spouse’s Auxiliary Troop G to aid in covering expenses for the family.
The trooper was even mentioned by name Tuesday night at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s annual State of the State Address. In his remarks for supporting law enforcement, the recently reelected governor acknowledged his own support for police and pointed out how many Arkansans share the same sentiment.
“Recently, Corporal Clayton McWilliams was severely injured in the line of duty,” the governor said. “The citizens of Ashdown had a fundraiser to support Corporal McWilliams, and more than 500 attended and raised over $50,000. Way to go Ashdown!”
For more information on the Jan. 30 fundraiser call the above listed numbers.