As the criminal case against her proceeds, this weekend saw a special effort to help their fellow officers with money and blood.
Inside of a mobile blood unit in Galveston, officer Matthew Whiting was rolling up his sleeves to help in a way most people don't usually see.
"To help out. It's always hard to get blood. Especially after an accident, you're gonna have to have a lot of surgeries. So it'll help out a lot," Whiting said.
He was among the dozens who showed up and gave blood to help someone they've never met.
"Happy to help any way we can," blood donor Donna Fraley said.
"Giving blood for that HPD officer who got critically injured in the motorcycle accident," said Evan Fraley with the Galveston Police Department.
That officer is 52-year-old Linda Tweedie, badly hurt and still hospitalized since February 23. Investigators say 18-year-old Callie Inman was intoxicated and slammed into Tweedie and her husband Dana on their motorcycle. Dana Tweedie, a retired HPD officer, was killed.
"Apparently was a good guy from Houston who came on down visiting Galveston. And you know that's where we're from. So we're just helping, supporting this bad situation," said Dan Dundee with Knights of Columbus.
In addition to the blood drive, there was a lunchtime fundraiser. The food was cooked by volunteers from the Knights of Columbus. But this was really about the blood.
"My goal today is to get 50 blood donors. Fifty blood donors will save 150 lives," said Annie Almendarez with the Galveston Police Department.
It was something to which everyone who gave today fully understands.
"It's something that maybe one day I might need it, maybe I might get hurt or something. The same way I'm going to look out for others, I expect others to look out for me as well," said Jimmy Perez with the Galveston Police Department.
Anyone who cannot make the blood drive but would like to donate to the Tweedie family's medical or burial expenses may send cash or checks to the Houston Police Officer's Union, 1600 State Street, Houston, Texas 77007. Please make checks payable to HPOU and note "Tweedie" in the memo; 100% of these funds will go to the Tweedie family.
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