BOISE, Idaho — The community continues showing up for the Bolter family. They were the guests of honor during Kuna High School's annual First Responder and Military Appreciation football game on Friday.
"I'm still speechless," Abbey Bolter said. "Just the generosity and kindness from our community throughout the Treasure Valley."
Abbey's late husband, Ada County Sheriff's Deputy Tobin Bolter, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in April.
"Tobin's ultimate sacrifice for his community and serving his community was because of the Lord Jesus Christ," she said. "He wanted to be a cop ever since he could speak. So, he wanted to fight for good and fight against evil, and that's what it came down to."
Angelie Bauer, Kuna High School college and career coordinator, said his death impacted the entire Valley.
"We wanted to let the Bolter family know that we see them, we appreciate them, and we're here to support them through any struggles that they may have down the road," she said.
The first responders and military personnel were honored before kick-off. There was a tailgate and hero's parade before a Black Hawk plane landed at the school.
In a video that played while everyone stood on the field, several of Abbey and Tobin's former student-athletes remembered him.
After graduating from college, the two invested a lot of their time in high schoolers. They coached cross country and track together back home in California.
During her first interview since the tragedy, Abbey called Friday's event a "blessing." She said she is taking life without Tobin "day-by-day" and is thankful for everyone rooting for her.
"I haven't spoken publicly since [his death]," she said. "But I have just a heart of gratitude, and I really appreciate everything the community and all of you have done by God's grace."
The school also collected donations for the family, which Abbey said she is saving for when their daughter is born in November.
"We have memories, all the funny ones ... the sad [ones]," she said. "We have all of those to be able to share with her. And I'm not worried; she'll know who her dad is."
This was the third annual First Responder and Military Appreciation Night in Kuna. Bauer said they have a different guest of honor every year.
Abbey encourages everyone to pray and continue showing their appreciation for those who put their lives on the line.
"We have to be continuing to do that," she said. "It's a blessing, not only to me that I feel it as Tobin's gone, but to my other law enforcement. They feel it, too. When people show up, it's huge."