A benefit concert for John Taylor Saturday night at Java Junction raised $1,300 for the injured officer, who was shot November 17.

George Brooks, owner of the establishment on Roanoke Avenue, said $400 was raised from the auction of a Budweiser refrigerator and $70 came from a 50-50 drawing. The rest was collected from the $5 charge to get into the event, which started shortly after 4 p.m. and went on through the night.

Roanoke Rapids native Bobby Turner plays.

“It was an awful nice Christmas present to help with the family,” Brooks said.

Several of Taylor’s family members attended throughout the evening, said Brooks. “They were thrilled and grateful for what they did.”

Kristen Taylor, the officer’s spouse, has said the support and prayers of friends, law enforcement and others in the community helped lift his spirits after he was shot on Interstate 95.

The officer is home and recovering.

Mrs. Taylor has publicly thanked law enforcement from across the state and beyond for participating in a manhunt that led them to finding Michael Eugene Edgerton, who killed himself in the woods near Halifax Academy and is believed to have shot the officer, and his fiancee, Renee Michele Phillips, who is in custody and arrested as an accessory after the fact of attempted murder.

Tim Wall sings.

“The thoughts, prayers and well wishes from all over have meant the world to us and we believe have helped to bring my husband to the place he is today,” she said during a recent press conference. “We hope to be able to thank as many of you as we can over the coming weeks. Overall, (John) is doing as well as to be expected. He looks forward to the day he can return to serve and protect the people of Roanoke Rapids. We sincerely thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. They have made all the difference in the world.”