Kirk Culik is a 68 year old retired Corrections Officer, Coach for both IIHF Hockey and High School Boxing, 3-time cancer survivor, and respected member of his community.

On May 21, 2022, upon returning home from grocery shopping with his wife, Jill, Kirk was violently attacked by three teenage thugs with a well known and documented history of criminal activity and being menaces to society. (and were coming from other criminal acts when the assault occurred.) 

During the attack, Kirk was struck in the head by a wine bottle wielded by one of the attackers and was knocked to the ground as a result. While on the ground and suffering from a concussion, Kirk continued to receive kicks and punches from his attackers. As the attack continued and injuries continued to compound, Kirk drew his lawfully possessed and carried concealed pistol from a crumpled, supine position and fired a single shot at the nearest lethal threat he was facing.

With one of the three attackers stopped, the other two criminals fled.

Unfortunately Kirk's fight did not end there.

From initial responding local law enforcement holding his wife at gunpoint while trying to render him aid and seeking a murder indictment before completing even an initial investigation or witness interviews, to the unlawful withholding of medical care while in custody, prosecutorial misconduct of withholding evidence, and ex-parte communication between judge and prosecutors, Kirk spent 703 days (102 in solitary confinement starting on the day of the shooting) dealing with a system that refused to acknowledge his god-given and legally-protected right to self defense (and did everything possible to put politics first) before he was able to finally get his story in front of a jury of his peers who acquitted him of all wrong-doing. 

What was the lasting effect? 

Kirk was immediately taken into custody while still suffering from the injuries of his attack. He was denied medical care for 72 days while in solitary confinement. He was held for more than 90 days without the opportunity for bond, and when his attorneys were finally able to make that possible, the "judge" in the case set the bond at $400,000 CASH - the highest ever in Hillsdale County. 

Kirk's attorneys are the best in the business, but bringing that incredible team to the fight cost Kirk and Jill nearly EVERYTHING. Both Kirk and Jill are retirees. They sold their cars, their belongings, cleaned out their bank accounts and savings to make sure Kirk could walk a free man in the country that he dedicated his life to making better. 

The goal of this fundraiser is to try and get Kirk and Jill as close to "whole" as can be. While they can never get back the time that was them, their friends and family, every little bit helps. 

Anything you can give is truly, truly appreciated.