VACAVILLE, Calif. — Days after Vacaville Police Officer Matthew Bowen was killed in the line of duty, the community is coming together to show support and raise money for his family.
With every burrito sold at Vacaville's Mexico Meat Market Sunday, customers were sending a message of support to a heartbroken family.
"We're doing a fundraiser for the Bowen family; our fallen police officer in Vacaville," said the market's owner Juvenal Lopez. "It's very important to us. I've been seeing a lot more people supporting, and as a small community, we want to contribute."
25% of the day's sales went to the family of Matthew Bowen, the Vacaville police officer killed in the line of duty Thursday after being hit by an alleged DUI driver while on a traffic stop on Leisure Town Road.
"I'm so glad that we just happened to stop by here to support them. That's awesome," said Krissy Pallotta, who lives in Vacaville and stopped by the popular market Sunday.
Meanwhile, at The Brass Tap a few minutes away, shift lead Janique Doyle couldn't help but shed a tear while working on Saturday. Thousands of people flooded the small business all day with 25% of sales going to Officer Bowen's family.
"Such a sad moment became such a beautiful moment," Doyle said. "Honestly, it brought tears to my eyes."
The tears weren't just because of Doyle's strong community price but because the tragedy hit close to home.
"I actually knew him. I worked with him and his wife a long time ago," Doyle said. "He was like the sweetest, most genuine guy you could ever meet. And same with his wife, they were so bubbly, and they're so sweet."
Now, things will never be the same, but the community's support is as strong as ever. An online fundraiser got more than $98,000 in donations as of Sunday evening.
Businesses across the city are preparing for their own fundraisers every day for the next week.
"Burger City is doing one, Magic Glam Salon and Plant Shop is doing something. There are a couple of bakeries doing things," Doyle said. "It's just everybody is reaching out to try to make the situation better, even though there's nothing that can make it better. It's just so great that we're all tight knit and all just want to give what we can."
A community is giving what they can to support the family of the man who gave everything.
"I'm just really sorry for the whole family, the law enforcement family, everybody. It's just tragic," Pallotta said. "I love Vacaville, I've always loved Vacaville. They really come together in a time of need, so I'm very happy to see this happening."
Watch more from ABC10: Who was Matthew Bowen? Vacaville police officer is first to die in line of duty
