The Pelham Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office have joined forces to retire the mortgage for fallen officer Philip Davis’ family by cooking and selling 194 Boston butts.

Davis was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 4, leaving behind a wife, Paula, and two children.

Sheriff Chris Curry and a group of retired men, including Clifford Moore, Jimmy Denton, Steve Sinquefield and Mike Morton, gathered Friday at 2 p.m. and planned to cook the 2,000 pounds of pork until 8 a.m. Saturday.

Moore, who is also known as “Big Pig,” helps the Sheriff’s Department cook for several fundraisers each year, and he said this particular cause means a lot to him.

“I’m giving back,” Moore said. “It’s payback for all they do for us.”

Denton also helps cook for each fundraiser, and he said helping others is what he is meant to do.

“It’s a mission for me,” Denton said.

The food will be delivered to the Pelham Police Department on Saturday, and pick-up will be available from 10:30 a.m.-noon.

Teresa Smith, Susan Crumpton and Krissie Masters helped organize the event, which required three additional smokers to supplement the one that is currently used by the Sheriff’s Office for other fundraisers.

Curry said it is heartwarming to see all law enforcement pull together to help each other out.

“They law enforcement community has always been a brotherhood and a family,” Curry said as he fought back tears. “What this is about is for Paula (Davis) and the kids to have a fair chance in the future, and it’s some way to say she can have a roof over their heads.”

Pelham Police Lt. Davy Lott said the outpouring of support from both the Sheriff’s Office and the community has been overwhelming.

“We thought we were going to struggle to sell 100 (Boston butts) and we almost sold 200,” Lott said. “We have the best law enforcement groups and the sheriff has really carried the ball on many of these fundraisers.”

Lott said this particular fundraiser particularly means a lot to the Pelham Police officers because they have been able to get directly involved.

“If we’re going to go out and ask others to help, we feel it’s important that we, ourselves, step up as well,” Lott said. “This is a great opportunity to retire this mortgage and get a good return on your investment — some great food.”