Stephanie Klein-Davis | The Roanoke Times

Charles Johnson, a participant in the Rescue Mission's recovery program, made a police shield in cupcake form from a design he and pottery instructor Pam Rhodes downloaded from the Internet.

A man with a mustache, glasses and white hair paid perhaps the highest price ever for a cupcake in the history of the city of Roanoke: $400.

The man -- Judge Jonathan Apgar. His prize -- a chocolate cupcake in a golden wrapper adorned with the word 'peace,' blue frosting and purple sprinkles.

The event was a silent cupcake auction at the Roanoke Rescue Mission to benefit Officer Bryan Lawrence, who was paralyzed in a beating May 10 while trying to arrest a suspect. An outpouring of financial support from the valley has flooded Lawrence's family since the incident.

Apgar visited the Rescue Mission on Thursday during a break in the sentencing phase of the Reginald Wayne Killingsworth murder trial, over which he is presiding. But he didn't hang around long enough for anyone to find out what his plans are for the pricey confection. The judge quickly rushed back to the courtroom after receiving a cellphone call that the jurors were ready.

The idea for a silent cupcake auction came about after a donation of enough cake mix to make 750 cupcakes showed up at the Christian homeless ministry, said Uneita Matthews, a member of the mission's development team.

Thousands of dollars have been raised in the valley to support Lawrence, including a motorcycle ride and several benefit concerts. The cupcake auction brought in almost $2,000. The mission will present a check to the Roanoke Police Department this afternoon.

Every single cupcake was bid on, including some that went for $25 a pop. The cupcakes that were not taken home by their bidders were enjoyed by the guests at the mission Thursday evening.

Lawrence became especially close to the mission during a back-to-school event last summer where he made identification badges and passed out free school supplies for children.

Molly Henry, children's minister at the mission, worked with Lawrence to coordinate the event.

"Something that stood out about him was his willingness to help," Henry said.

Another thing that stood out about Lawrence was his personality. "He was so personable with the families who were waiting in line for supplies," she said. "There was a long line and it was hot, but he still managed to make them laugh and have fun."

Lawrence is at an Atlanta rehabilitation facility. In an update at carepages.com, Lawrence's family reported Tuesday evening that he stood up and that he has ordered a wheelchair. He is in good spirits and is anxious for it to arrive.

Almost all of the cupcakes in the auction were made by participants in the mission's recovery program, a 12-month residential program.

Two participants spent all day baking the cupcakes, said Stephen Warren, assistant director of programs at the mission.

They began icing at 5 p.m. Wednesday and "iced into the evening," Warren said.

By browsing the four-table display one could see the creativity that went into each strawberry, chocolate, vanilla and carrot-cake cupcake. One was created in the form of a replica of the Mill Mountain Star, another as a giant daisy. The most interesting creation might have been the police badge made by recovery program participant Charles Johnson.

He carefully researched what badge Lawrence might have worn and what it would look like. After the mission's pottery teacher printed a computer picture of the badge he placed the cupcakes in a design on an aluminum foil covered tray. The result had white frosting with the words 'Office Lawrence' written in light blue icing across the top.

"It is nice to be on the other side of the law," Johnson said. "It's good to be doing a positive action instead of defending myself in court for bad actions. It's good to know that my actions are helping someone else."

Monica Schlagetter, the graphic designer at the mission, was one of the most deep-pocketed bidders until Apgar surpassed her.

She spent more than $100, although she has never met Lawrence.

"It's a great opportunity to give back to someone who has given so much to our community," she said. "Police officers go through so much to protect our communities, they put themselves in the front line -- even though they get paid there's much more they do that goes beyond the paycheck."

Lawrence was assaulted after responding to a call while he was off duty.

"His daily rehab bill has to be very costly and the traveling expense and meals must be tremendous," Schlagetter said.

"To have this happen all of a sudden ... I just can't imagine. People come to us at the mission all the time in crisis situations and now that his family is in one we are delighted to be able to do that for them."