The Tops for Cops fundraiser in 2017 provided the Fort Dodge Police Department officers with caps and cap badges to wear with their class A dress uniforms.

SOS is a Christian-centered group of residents dedicated to showing public servants appreciation.

To continue Henderson’s legacy, SOS is starting a new fundraiser called Chap’s Caps.

Henderson, who was killed in October 2019, served as chaplain for the the FDPD and Fort Dodge Fire Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Department and Post 7 of the Iowa State Patrol. His nickname was Chappy.

-Web store photo
These SOS caps are now for sale to support the fundraiser called Chap's Caps.

The goal of Chap’s Caps is to provide the Webster County Sheriff’s Department with dress hats for their class A dress uniforms.

“We thought, let’s take the Tops for Cops and expand it to all departments,” said TJ Pingel, a member of SOS who said he spoke with Sheriff Luke Fleener about new ideas for the group.

“He (Fleener) really liked the Tops for Cops and he and Derek (Christie, chief deputy) thought something like that would boost the spirits for everybody,” Pingel said.

Henderson’s killer, Joshua Pendleton, of Fort Dodge, was recently found guilty on all counts — first-degree murder, a Class A felony, and first-degree robbery, a Class B felony, in a jury trial in Davenport. He will be sentenced June 18.

Multiple first responders, citizens and members of Henderson’s family had to testify during the trial.

“The trial was coming to a close and we thought it would be nice to do something for all first responders because we have had this weight on our shoulders for a year-and-a-half,” Pingel said. “All the men and women have had to relive it, testifying about it.”

The Chap’s Caps fundraiser has two parts. Part one is SOS raising money to purchase Class A dress hats for the Webster County Sheriff’s Department.

Part two involves an opportunity for the members of the public to purchase SOS baseball caps.

The caps are Port Authority snapback trucker caps featuring the SOS logo on the front. The caps sell for $25.

For each cap ordered by the public, a first responder will get one for free.

“You’re getting something and also being able to give something at the same time,” Pingel said.

The baseball caps are being made by Optic Ink. The caps will be sold using this link: https://chapscaps2021.itemorder.com/

“With every hat we will have a thank you note to first responders,” Pingel said.

He said the goal is to sell 200 baseball caps.

The dress hats will be given to first responders later this summer.

For more information, contact TJ Pingel at 515-408-2231.