100 Club benefit to aid family of SAPD officer killed in crash

18th Annual Spaghetti Dinner falls 2 days after Paul Rios was killed

SAN ANTONIO – This weekend, the 100 Club of San Antonio celebrated its 18th annual Spaghetti Dinner. Proceeds benefit the families of fallen firefighters and police officers in Bexar County.

"Each and every day we walk out of our homes to our offices, to our businesses, to what we do for a living with the expectation that we're going to have a safe day. Unfortunately for our law enforcement and firefighters, they walk out the door every single day knowing that they could be in harm's way," said 100 Club President Richard Miller.

Since 1973, the 100 Club has supported more than 50 families, providing money to the children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.

This year's dinner was marked by the tragic coincidence of the death of Officer Paul Rios, who was killed Friday in an off-duty car accident. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

"He always brought honor to the badge, and so I was very thankful for knowing him," said Lisa Perez. "I'm just very saddened by what happened, but like I said, they're in our prayers and they're not alone."

Perez's husband was fatally shot while serving a warrant. She has seen the 100 Club help her children get through school. 

"It's been very beneficial, very helpful," she said. "Not only in a financial sense, but in a supportive sense, because when you're going through this tragedy you're not real sure which way is up. They're there to be emotional support."

Although Rios was not killed in the line of duty, Miller said the organization would reach out to the family to offer support.

"We don't want them to worry," he said. "This is a time for grief. It's not a time to worry about finances."