Friends, Family, Officers Raise Funds -- And A Pint -- To Honor Fallen Comrades

CORONA (CBSLA.com) — Friends of fallen San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremiah MacKay and slain Riverside police officer Michael Crain held a fundraiser Friday to honor the two officers believed to have been killed by Christopher Dorner.

The 21st Annual Great Guinness Toast, also known as 'St. Practice Day', is a fundraiser for San Bernardino County's Fallen Officer Memorial Fund.

The event started at 7 p.m. at Shamrocks Pub and Grill. Bagpipers -- and MacKay was one -- played traditional Irish tunes.

The fallen officers were toasted precisely at 8 p.m., as is the event's tradition.

CBS2 and KCAL9's Rachel Kim was there. She reported, "They raise their glasses to raise money for the families of fallen officers every year. But tonight, the Inland Empire Emerald Society and hundreds of their supporters are toasting two of their brothers."

Ken Jamieson, president of the Inland Empire Society said, "Jeremiah was our piper. He would've been piping at this event."

The group's members told Kim that it was MacKay's idea to make the fundraiser an annual event in the first place.  Jamieson said, "You did this brother. You brought all these people together and we miss you."

MacKay, 35,  had been with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's for 15 years.

Roger Loftis, a close friend and MacKay's partner said, "[Dorner] killed my best friend...for nothing. It was a senseless waste."

Loftis will remember his friend's sense of humor.  "God speed, Jeremiah. We know you're looking down on us right now. We're having a pints in your honor."