A recent dinner and dance raised more than $10,000 for an ailing Dawson County Sheriff’s deputy who collapsed while on the job in December.

“Everything went so well,” said Mickey Gilbertson, who organized the event for his friend Cpl. Chase Johns. “We served over 300 people and everyone had a good time.”

Johns said he was overwhelmed by the generosity and support he and his family received from the community.

“The biggest thing for me is to thank ... all the other volunteers, the people that donated items, all the people that came out to help,” he said. “It was very special. The turnout was incredible.”

Johns was responding to a shoplifting call at the local outlet mall when he told fellow deputies he wasn’t feeling well.

Within moments the veteran lawman and K9 handler was rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where surgeons repaired an aortic aneurysm.

Johns is now awaiting full clearance from his doctors so he can return to work on light duty later this month. In the meantime, he’s continuing to regain his strength by running at least a mile each day.

Gilbertson said the money collected during the event and some additional funds he’s expecting to come in this week will help with John’s “astronomical” medical expenses.

“We had so many people who helped,” he said. “Thanks to all the hundreds of people it took to make this work.”