Golf tournament and concert in Post Falls honors ambushed firefighters

POST FALLS, Idaho — Hundreds of community members gathered at The Club at Prairie Falls on Monday for a golf tournament and concert to honor the firefighters killed and wounded in the June 29 ambush that claimed two lives and left a third fighting to survive.

The “Hearts for Heroes” event sold out immediately after being organized in just 24 hours, with many residents calling until the last minute asking for the opportunity to participate and show their support for the fallen first responders.

“This community supports fire and police and anybody who serves that purpose for our community. We do look up to them, and that’s why we’re doing this,” said Frankie De Artola, events manager at The Club at Prairie Falls.

The sound of golf swings carried special meaning as participants teed off not just for sport, but to support those who ran toward danger while others ran away. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the families of the firefighters affected by the ambush.

Rico Gallarza, drummer and vocalist of the Tamarack Ridge Band, performed a donated concert as part of the tribute. He contacted De Artola shortly after the tragedy with the idea of creating a community healing event.

“We decided that that’s what we’re going to do – we’re going to run towards this and we’re going to do everything that we can to support them,” Gallarza said.

The event was a positive opportunity for the community to gather during a difficult time.

“You hear a lot of the negative. This is about the positive. This is about us appreciating,” said Lynette Cheri, also with Tamarack Ridge Band.

Gallarza said the gathering ran deeper than just a fun-filled day.

“This is not about a concert. This is not about golf. This is about everybody coming together for our tribe,” he said.

Players, spectators and concert-goers had the opportunity to sign banners donated by a local company, which will be presented to the families of the fallen and injured firefighters.

The event concluded with fireworks lighting up the sky in memory of the local heroes.