The goal is $200,000 in 20 days.

That’s what the committee to retire the Davis family mortgage hopes to raise in order to pay off the home of Paula Davis, wife of fallen Pelham Police officer Philip Davis, who was gunned down Dec. 4 following a traffic stop on Interstate 65.

Although the large amount of money in a short amount of time seems like an arduous task, that goal is easily attainable, especially considering the generosity and compassion the community has shown the Davis family and the police department during the last month. Just think about it: with more than 20,000 citizens in the city of Pelham, if every citizen gave $10, the goal would be accomplished and the mortgage-burning ceremony would begin. If every citizen in the county gave $1, that would almost pay off the entire mortgage too.

With just a few days remaining until the deadline, it doesn’t appear the $200,000 goal is going to be met in the 20-day time frame. But that isn’t the end. The end of this fundraising effort will come when $200,000 is raised, whether that is Feb. 1 or March 1, and for that we applaud Pelham Mayor Don Murphy for hastening the effort.

Not only did Officer Davis pay the ultimate sacrifice Dec. 4, but so did his wife and two small children. And for that, this is the least we can do.