'We're Fondy Strong:' Fond du Lac woman creates art fundraiser for K-9 Deputy Iro, who was injured in shootout

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In times of tragedy, many of us wonder, what can we do to help?

For one Fond du Lac woman, that answer is clear.

“When emotional things happen, I paint!" said Mindy Leitner, a local artist of nearly three decades. 

Leitner lives near the 500 block of Drury Place, where four days ago, a deadly shootout between a suspect and law enforcement occurred just before 6 a.m.

The suspect was shot and killed on scene. 

The deputy involved was placed on administrative leave per agency policy as the state Department of Justice investigates the case.

While no human responders were hurt, K-9 Deputy Iro was shot and seriously wounded in the crossfire.

“We woke up to gunfire that morning," Leitner told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. “Pretty shortly thereafter, I found out that it was happening right next to my son’s house.”

After making sure her son was okay, Leitner grabbed a blank canvas.

“There were a lot of people not knowing what to do, who wanted to do something, and this was something that I could do," Leitner said. “The next thing I thought of was, I need to paint the dog.”

So, she got to work. One hour later? A beautiful portrait of Iro, with a bright red heart in the corner.

Leitner said she brought the finished piece out to personnel on scene, who became emotional at the sight.

"Gratitude, and maybe even some tears," Leitner said.

She ended up hanging the painting on her son's property next door, a brighter spot in an area still blocked off by yellow caution tape. 

“You never expect this to happen in your backyard," Leitner said.

And she also didn't expect what would happen next.

Floods of messages over social media, with concerned community members asking how they could get a copy.

Now, thanks to several local vendors, 500 posters of the portrait will be available for sale on Friday, Oct. 20.

Each costs $10, and all proceeds raised will go toward the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office K-9 program. 

"Additional options, such as canvas prints and T-shirts, may become available," a news release said.

Leitner hopes the posters will act as a call for unity, and that whoever purchases them will display the art in their front window.

"We're #FondyStrong!" Leitner said proudly. "We pull together when we need to."

To stay up to date on the artwork and purchasing, click here for the Art for Iro Facebook page.