We are hosting this raffle to support a man who has spent his life serving others — a former United States Marine and a brother in blue. Throughout his career he has stood up for his community, his country, and complete strangers on their worst days without ever asking for anything in return.
He is now facing a difficult time and unexpected financial hardship. This raffle is our opportunity to stand behind him the same way he has always stood behind everyone else.
Every ticket purchased goes directly toward helping him and his family with expenses and easing the burden during this challenging period.
If you’re unable to participate, simply sharing this Raffle is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for supporting someone who has always put others before himself.
On November 19, 2021, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Greensboro Police Department K9 Officer Matt Hamilton was involved in an officer-involved shooting while responding to a call for service. Officer Hamilton and his K9 partner, Hoyt, were dispatched after a woman reported that a person she knew was attempting to break into her home and she was afraid of him.
The suspect fled to a detached shed behind the residence and barricaded himself among furniture and boxes. Just four days earlier, the same suspect had been involved in a barricade and standoff with another law enforcement agency and was reportedly in possession of multiple high-caliber firearms. He was a convicted felon and had previously stated he would not return to jail.
Officer Hamilton deployed K9 Hoyt into the shed to apprehend the suspect and followed behind. Inside the shed, Officer Hamilton observed an object in the suspect’s hand that appeared to be a handgun and saw the suspect point it toward him. Fearing for his life and the life of his K9 partner, Officer Hamilton fired one shot, striking the suspect and stopping the threat. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
As is standard procedure after a critical incident, Officer Hamilton was placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The SBI later presented its findings to the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office, and the case was taken before a grand jury, which returned an indictment for voluntary manslaughter. Officer Hamilton was subsequently terminated from his position, resulting in the loss of his pension and benefits.
After more than four years and over $400,000 in legal expenses, the case went to trial on January 12, 2026. Following the State’s presentation of evidence, the defense filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the legal elements of the charge were not met. The judge agreed and dismissed all charges due to insufficient evidence.
Throughout this long process, Matt and his wife, Sandy, endured significant emotional stress and financial hardship. They were forced to fund his legal defense out of pocket and still carry a substantial balance owed to his attorneys, who worked tirelessly to defend his freedom.
Matt served the Greensboro Police Department for 15 years and was a member of the department’s Special Response Team. All rafle proceeds will help relieve a law enforcement family that has sacrificed so much. Please consider supporting Officer Hamilton as he works to rebuild his life and move forward.IMG_8486.jpeg199.17 KB
The Prize
Blanton’s Bourbon Collection
Blanton’s is one of the most recognizable and collectible bourbons in the world. Each bottle is hand-filled, hand-labeled, and bottled one barrel at a time — no two are exactly the same. Every bottle features the iconic horse-and-jockey stopper, with collectors often seeking to spell out “BLANTONS” by obtaining each unique topper.
Known for its smooth character and rich flavor profile, Blanton’s offers notes of caramel, vanilla, honey, and spice, making it prized by both serious bourbon collectors and casual enthusiasts alike. Due to limited distribution and high demand, these bottles are often difficult to find in stores.
This collection makes an exceptional centerpiece for any bourbon enthusiast and a rare opportunity to own a premium, hard-to-find set.
The raffle prize will be shipped directly to the winner anywhere within the United States. Shipping and packaging will be covered, and the item will be securely packed to ensure it arrives safely. The winner will be contacted to arrange delivery details and tracking information once the drawing is completed
