SUWANNEE, Fla. (WCJB) - Defenders of Dixie is hosting its first-ever fishing tournament this weekend to raise money to support first responders and their families during times of sudden emergency or tragedy.

The fishing tournament kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. with a calcutta at the Suwannee Marina at 49 S.E. 903rd Avenue, Suwannee. A weigh-in will be held on Saturday at the same location.

Dixie County Sheriff Darby Bulter was motivated to launch “Defenders of Dixie” after Deputy Cody Pope was shot while responding to a shootout at a bar in Old Town.

“After the situation with Cody Pope, that got shot in one of our shootings, unfortunately, now was the time,” said Bulter. “So that’s what spearheaded this, and this would not happen without our community.”

Organizer initiative will also e

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