On January 7, 2021, Eric Strand and his 21-year-old son Christian Strand were in their garage talking to their neighbor Dave Murphy. Out of nowhere, a crazed man leapt from the bushes, violently attacking Dave with a tactical hatchet, striking him on the head and penetrating his skull and brain. Without a second thought, both Eric and Christian immediately jumped onto the assailant, disarming him and saving Dave's life.

Both Eric and Christian sustained life threatening injuries and were transported by ambulance to the hospital. Both men sustained multiple blows to the head and both have fractured skulls - Eric was knocked unconscious at the crime scene. Both men have deep lacerations covering their arms and torsos. Christian's ear was severed almost entirely, and underwent emergency surgery to attempt to reattach the ear - and will require future reconstructive surgeries on his ear. Christian received multiple face and neck lacerations as well.

Eric spent over five hours having his slash wounds to his neck, back, arms, head, and abdomen stitched and stapled, receiving more than 100 stitches.

A literal axe murderer stormed into their garage and impaled their friend in the head. Rather than run, both Eric and Christian charged at the assailant headfirst, unarmed, and managed to wrestle the axe away from him! Both of these men are heroes, and saved Dave Murphy's life. 

These men risked their lives to help Dave, and now they need our help! Please donate to help support heroes Eric and Christian's medical treatment and recovery!

In Loving Memory of Eric Strand - A True Hero.

Eric never recovered from this betrayal. He had risked everything to save a neighbor and friend, only to have that act of bravery twisted and erased. It broke his heart. He told me, even after knowing how it all ended, that he would still do it all over again. That's who he was

- not perfect, but brave, big-hearted, and always led by love. He acted from the purest place — his heart.

Sadly, Eric's life ended with that deep pain still in him. He is finally at peace now. But his son Christian and I, along with everyone who truly knew and loved Eric, are left with grief, injustice, and a story that must be told.

This fundraiser is about honoring Eric's true legacy - not the one rewritten in a courtroom, but the legacy of a man who saved a life and paid the price. It's about helping Christian continue to heal and keeping the truth alive.

Donations will go toward:

• Supporting Christian's ongoing medical and emotional recovery

• Memorial costs to honor Eric's life and sacrifice

• Helping our family as we rebuild after this loss and injustice

If you believe in courage, in sacrifice, and in truth — please donate, share, or simply carry Eric's story forward. Every bit of support helps us heal and ensures Eric is remembered for who he truly was: a hero.

Thank you so much for those who have donated previously. Due to all of the circumstances mentioned above, Christian and i are in a very difficult position without funds coming in to help Christian recover from the trauma of the events of that terrible evening and the events that followed. Please consider donating again if you can. Thank you, Tracy