Here Are The Top Donors To Joseph Mensah's Legal Defense Fund

WAUWATOSA, WI — A fundraiser for a Wauwatosa police officer who was recently suspended from his job in law enforcement has exceeded its goal of $50,000 in less than two weeks, with several major donors leading the way.

The Greenfield Police Association and a Wauwatosa Firefighter's Union are among the top donors to Mensah's fundraiser.

The sibling of Joseph Mensah launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for his brother's legal fees. The fundraiser has collected more than $63,000 in 13 days as of Wednesday.

"Although we have received ample support from the Wauwatosa Police Department, Joseph has had to overcome the dissemination of false information about his personal life, slander, and defamation from multiple sources. Joseph has been treated unfairly and unjustly by mob mentality and anti-police rhetoric," his brother, Christopher, posted on the online fundraising platform.

Christopher Mensah recently increased his fundraising goal of $25,000 to $50,000—and so far there's been no shortage of supporters willing to chip in. "The only thing for the triumph of evil is good men to do nothing" We pray for those who protect us and their families to keep them safe! Officer Joesph Mensah your one of the many who serve and protect the people, God Bless! Stay Strong!" one donor commented.

"You deserve so much better from this community. The leadership has failed. Crush them and move forward. There will be a hole left by you that will be felt. Good luck," another donor posted.

Mensah first began his law enforcement career in 2009 as a volunteer reserve police officer.

Here are the top donors as of Wednesday:

Kevin Barnard
$1,000

Dennis Davidson
$1,000

2 Anonymous Donors
$1,000

Robert Wentz
$500

Margaret Bielik
$500

Dan Collins
$500

Georgia Bednar
$500

Lori Harris
$500

Jean Pitzo
$500

Kathleen Ausloos
$500

Fraternal Order of Police Green Bay WI Lodge #2
$500

New Berlin Professional Police Association (NBPPA)
$500

Wauwatosa Prof. FF Local 1923
$500

Greenfield Police Association
$500

4 Anonymous Donors
$500

On July 15, the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission voted unanimously to accept administrative charges filed against Mensah by the family of Jay Anderson. According to Fox 6 Now, this measure took place one day after the Common Council voted to "transition" Mensah from employment.

Mensah shot and killed Anderson during the early morning of June 23, 2016 while responding to a suspicious vehicle in Wauwatosa's Madison Park, police said. Mensah was ultimately cleared of criminal wrongdoing in that case. According to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber, video had showed Anderson reaching for a gun with his right hand.

In 2015, Mensah also shot and killed Antonio Gonzalez after officers said Gonzalez confronted them with a sword. Police said he refused to drop the weapon despite orders to do so. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office ultimately ruled that shooting was also justified.

Mensah, who is involved in the killing of three people in the last five years while on duty, is now currently under investigation for the February shooting death of 17-year-old Alvin Cole.

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.