As a pilot, police officer and marine, Brian Kelly’s career choices called him to a life of service and protection, fellow Bonney Lake Police Officer Todd Green said. Kelly was diagnosed with brain cancer in March and left behind his wife, Angela, and three children, ages 3, 5 and 7-years-old, when he died in August. A fundraising event will be held in his memory, with proceeds earned to benefit an educational trust fund for his children.

Kelly, 42, was born in Columbus, Ohio but lived with his family in Bonney Lake, where he was an active member of Lake Tapps Christian Church. He was a pilot for Alaska Airlines and a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps reserves at the time of his death. From 2008 to 2012, Kelly served as an officer at the Bonney Lake Police Department. During his active duty days in the military, he served as commanding officer of the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division in Miramar, Calif.

As a police officer, Kelly was active in community outreach events but found his true passion as a husband, father and friend, Green said.

Kelly’s fight began in March, when the cancer was discovered. From the brain, it spread to his lungs.

He fought hard all summer, Green said, but the doctors knew he was coming up on the end. Once the time to fight had passed, a single phrase echoed across his legion of family and friends. “We got it from here” was more than five words strung together. It was a promise that his memory would remain and his children would be cared for long after he is gone, Green said.

His family is doing well overall but the future holds a lot of uncertainties, Green said. The cost of sending three children to college is a heavy weight for Angela to carry and the purpose of the benefit auction is to alleviate some of that stress, he said. Angela Kelly is a counselor for Sumner School District and although each day brings a new set of struggles, she is holding everything together and has managed to stay in the community her family loves.

“We have a really generous community,” Green said. “We’ve received a lot of support but we’re still looking for some big ticket items. This is for one of our own. He put his life on the line for Bonney Lake as a police officer and on a larger scale, he fought for this country. This is our chance to give back to him and make sure his family is taken care of. He would have done the same for us.”

Many auction items have already been donated but more is needed to make the event successful, said Green. Midtown Grill is providing the facility, food and posters and others have stepped up to fill in the gaps, he said.

Donations of cash and auction items can be taken to the Bonney Lake Police Department, 18421 Veterans Memorial Drive E, during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 at Midtown Grill in Bonney Lake. Dinner is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and the silent auction will close at 7:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Bonney Lake Police Department, Midtown Grill, Bonney Lake Tavern and both Java Angels locations. Cost is $20 a person or $5 for children under 15-years-old. Admission includes dinner and one drink from the bar.

“It’s going to be a fun celebration in honor of our friend and brother,” Green said. “He always gave back to this community. Hopefully now we can put his kids through college and show him that we truly got it from here.”