Former Packers players hop behind the bar to help honor fallen officers

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Two former Packers showed off their bartending skills in Milwaukee Tuesday.

Gilbert Brown and Santana Dotson took part in a fundraiser to help the families of fallen Milwaukee police officers.

Along with autographs and pictures, the players served a few drinks as well.

“It means a lot to be a part of this,” said Brown.

The event is put on by the Milwaukee Police Association Fallen Heroes program.

“I think we need to give police a little bit more respect, especially fallen police officers,” said Brown.

“It feels great to have that kind of support behind you,” said Lt. Erik Gulbrandson from the Milwaukee Police Department.

The money raised will help send family members of fallen officers to Washington D.C. for National Police Week.

This year the names of officers Charles Irvine Jr. and Michael Michalski will be added to the memorial.

“It’s going to be emotional, it’s going to be a roller coaster,” said Lt. Gulbrandson.

“This is something that, another thing that’s near and dear to me because it’s a loss of life and we’ve got to try and help out,” said Brown.

The department says it means a lot to have former Packers players help their cause.

“If you can hear Gilbert saying to provide that support, if you can hear Santana Dotson saying provide that support, that’s what we need,” said Lt. Gulbrandson.

The players signed items to be auctioned off, something they got used to as a player, that carries special meaning now.

“I signed an item, an 8x10 100,000 times, and sometimes it’s the same item 100,000 times, but if it can benefit something like this I’ll do it 100,000 times again,” said Brown.

“You can’t put it into words, it’s great that they do it,” said Lt. Gulbrandson.

The department lost three officers in the past year.

Officer Matthew Rittner was killed in February, his name will be added to the memorial next year.