But now the sheriff seems to be supporting Long.
Tuesday NewsChannel 3 reviewed Sheriff Causey's campaign finance records. The records show causey donated $1,000 directly to Chris Long.
Causey says he donated the money December 12, four days after Long was fired from the department.
The Board of Elections says Causey is not breaking any laws by donating to Long.
Causey says he has also donated money from his campaign funds to Sgt. Mike Fey with the Wilmington Police Department. Fey was shot and critically injured by a suspect in 2005.
Causey also gave Long $1,000 of his own money.
Tuesday NewsChannel 3 found out about a fund set up in Peyton Strickland's name through the Hill Center in Durham, a school for children with learning differences. The fund has raised between $30,000-$40,000.
When asked if he planned to donate to Peyton Strickland's fund Sheriff Causey had no comment.
WILMINGTON -- A golf tournament this weekend raised money for local emergency workers going through some tough times.
But you may be surprised to hear who may get the money.
Former Sheriff's Deputy Chris Long, the man who shot and killed Peyton Strickland while trying to serve an arrest warrant, is one of three candidates who may get the money from the Local Heroes tournament.
Long has been under investigation since December 1, 2006. That's when Long shot through 18-year-old Peyton Strickland's front door while trying to serve arrest and search warrants.
On Saturday Long, New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey and numerous other emergency response personnel competed in the first annual Local Heroes golf tournament.
Tournament organizer Pat Cullifer said, "To donate to an officer, a firefighter, an EMS personnel, somebody in the emergency response field that has a hardship throughout the year."
Several area businesses sponsored the event.
One sponsor says the event was specifically to benefit Long.
Cullifer denies that but says Long is one of three candidates who may receive money from the tournament.
"Once we decide who we will donate the money to we will donate to that person at that time," Cullifer said.
Sheriff Causey says even though he and many members of his department took part, it's not an official endorsement.
Causey said, "The sheriff's office is not putting this on. Several sheriff's deputies are playing, law enforcement from Brunswick, Pender and around Wilmington."
The Strickland family is aware of the tournament and the possibility Long may receive money from an event called local heroes.
So far, the family is not commenting.
About 120 people competed in the tournament. The event raised between $5,000-$6,000.
The organizer of the event says they will choose the recipient this week.
